In order to feed the discussion with facts, here is a quick overview of
the income tax rates in three countries (in short, be poor in France or rich and married in the US.)
Note that a marginal tax rate is the tax that you'll pay on your next taxable dollar. For example, if your marginal tax rate is 28% and you receive a $1 raise, you will have to pay $0.28 as taxes on that dollar.
In the USA
Federal income tax rate schedules for 2001, according to the income in
US dollars:
Taxable Income Marginal tax rate
Married Filing Jointly: 0 to 45,200 15%
45,201 to 109,250 28%
109,251 to 166,450 31%
above 166,450 39.6%
Head of Household: 0 to 36,250 15%
36,251 to 93,600 28%
93,601 to 151,600 31%
above 151,600 39.6%
Single: 0 to 27,050 15%
27,051 to 65,550 28%
65,551 to 136,750 31%
above 136,750 39.6%
Married Filing Separately: 0 to 22,600 15%
22,601 to 54,625 28%
54,626 to 83,225 31%
above 83,225 39.6%
In France
Year: 2001 (in 2003, these numbers are a little lower: the maximal rate is now 49.58%)
Taxable income
in French Francs in US dollars Marginal tax rate
0 to 26,600 0 to 3,426 0%
26,600 to 52,320 3,426 to 6,739 8.25%
52,320 to 92,090 6,739 to 11,861 21.75%
92,090 to 149,110 11,861 to 19,205 31.75%
149,110 to 242,620 19,205 to 31,250 41.75%
242,620 to 299,200 31,250 to 38,538 47.25%
above 295,070 above 38,538 54%
In the United Kingdom:
Year: 2001
Taxable income (i.e income minus £4,385)
in sterling pounds in US dollars Marginal tax rate
0 to 1520 0 to 2,152 10%
1520 to 28400 2,152 to 40,216 22%
above 28400 above 40,216 40%
Sources:
http://www.pfconseil.com/fiscalite/loi_finance_2001.htm
http://www.constantin.com/lcpays/lcunit/fr/unit01fr.htm
http://www.rce.rutgers.edu/money2000/taxinfo/combining.html