A Historical Look at Top Marginal Income Tax Rate
Note: For much of tax history, the top rate is figured by adding a “surtax” rate to a basic rate.
|
YEAR |
REGULAR |
SURTAX |
TOTAL TOP RATE
|
|
1913–1915 |
1% |
6% |
7% |
|
1916 |
2% |
13% |
15% |
|
1917 |
4% |
63% |
67% |
|
1918–1921 |
8% |
65% |
73% |
|
1922–1923 |
8% |
50% |
58% |
|
1924 |
6% |
40% |
46% |
|
1925–1931 |
5% |
20% |
25% |
|
1932–1933 |
8% |
55% |
63% |
|
1934–1935 |
4% |
59% |
63% |
|
1936–1940 |
4% |
75% |
79% |
|
1941 |
4% |
77% |
81% |
|
1942–1943 |
6% |
82% |
88% |
|
1944 |
3% |
91% |
94% |
|
1945–1963 |
3% |
88% |
91% |
|
1964 |
3% |
74% |
77% |
|
1965–1981 |
70% |
|
70% |
|
1982–1986 |
50% |
|
50% |
|
1987 |
38.5% |
|
38.5% |
|
1988–90* |
33% |
|
33% |
|
1991–1992 |
31% |
|
31% |
|
1993–2000 |
39.6% |
|
39.6% |
|
2001 |
39.1% |
|
39.1% |
|
2002 |
38.6% |
|
38.6% |
|
2003–2012 |
35% |
|
35% |
|
2013–2017 |
39.6% |
|
39.6% |
|
2018-2021 |
37% |
|
37% |
*During 1988–90, tax on top income could not be determined without using a worksheet, but 33% appears to have been the highest rate paid.
Source: Wolters Kluwer CCH® AnswerConnect, 2021
Permission for use granted.
