Regressive tax

A tax that tends to take a larger percentage of the incomes of lower income citizens than it takes from the incomes of higher income citizens. Examples: a poll tax, a flat percentage tax on only the first so many dollars of income (like the social security tax) or a sales tax on consumption items of common necessity (like groceries).

Progressive tax

A tax that tends to take a smaller percentage of the incomes of lower income citizens compared to the percentage it takes of the incomes of wealthier citizens. Example: an income tax with steeper rates for those in higher income brackets, or a special sales tax levied only on expensive “luxuries” like yachts or jewelry.

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