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AP Micro & MacroPublic Finance & Taxation

Marginal Tax Rate

The marginal tax rate is the tax rate applied to the next dollar of income earned.

In a progressive system it is the rate of your top bracket. It drives incentives to work and invest because it determines how much of additional income you keep. It is usually higher than the average tax rate.

Formula / Example

Marginal tax rate = Δtax paid ÷ Δincome.

Related terms

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