Effective vs Marginal Tax Rate

Part of our Taxable Income and Gains guide · 57 articles →

Difference Between Effective and Marginal Tax Rate

The effective tax rate is the percentage chargeable on the total taxable income of individuals or organizations. While the marginal tax rate is a progressive tax rate chargeable on any additional income above the taxable income limit.

The marginal tax rate increases proportionately to taxable income, in contrast to the effective tax rate, which is fixed for all taxpayers. The effective tax rate is a flat tax, and under this system, everyone pays tax, regardless of their income level.

Effective vs Marginal Tax Rate Infographics

Let’s see the top differences between the effective vs. marginal tax rates.

Effective-Tax-Rate-vs-Marginal-Tax-Rate-info

Differences Between Effective and Marginal Tax Rate

The effective tax rate method does not protect the taxpayer; when income goes down, the tax rate does not go down. Whereas, the marginal tax rate protects the persons who pay taxes; when taxable income decreases, the tax rate also decreases.
The effective tax rate method encourages business expansion as higher-income would attract effective taxes. In comparison, the marginal tax rate method discourages business expansion as higher-income would attract higher taxes.
The government earns less revenue under the effective tax rate method. In comparison, in the marginal tax rate the government earns more revenue.
The tax burden is shifted to the general income group under an effective tax rate method. Whereas under marginal tax rate responsibility to pay tax is moved to the persons who have a higher income.
There are no significant compliance checks for paying the tax under the effective tax rate method due to a single tax rate. Whereas under the marginal tax rate method, there are significant compliance checks for paying the tax due to multiple tax rates.