As the popular adage goes, there are only two certain things in life: death and taxes. For most people, an extremely exorbitant tax rate is tantamount to death. However, everyone understands that tax rates that are more than zero percent is considerably an excess. Regardless of the place where you are settled, at some point you get to experience being saddled with your country’s taxes. In the United States alone, the federal tax rate is at 35%. Other countries even reach up to 50% and above.

The past years have also been a problem among European countries, as far as their tax rates is concerned, primarily because of their debt crises. Last year, Spain was noted to have a 2% tax rate increase, thus making their national tax rate to 45%. On the other hand, the government in France is also proposing a tax rate increase for people earning more than $1.23 million. From the current 48%, high-income French residents are expected to experience a 75% tax rate increase. A lot of countries actually have very high tax rates. Below are the top 10 highest tax paying countries that have the highest tax rates across the globe.

10. Ireland

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With an average income in 2010 of $50,400, and the highest income tax rate at 48%, this country’s tax rate has by far outpaced the normal 40% rate in the whole of Northern Europe. The figure is quite notable considering Northern Europe is considered to have the world’s second-highest tax rates in personal income. The country has been staggering a financial crisis. Plus its gap between the poor and the rich has led their government to increase by 1% their top tax rates for three straight years—2008-2009. To be obliged with this tax rate, you must have at least $43,900 of taxable income.

9. Finland

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Number nine of the top 10 countries with the highest taxes is Finland. If you are a resident here and you make at least $91,000, then you are to pay 49.2% in taxes. But that could still get worse considering how the country is having problems economically. In fact in 2004, their tax rates ballooned up to 53.5%. The Finnish government however, has been making steps in reducing their top tax rate so they can at least put money into their citizen’s wallets and hopefully fight their economic inflation.

8. United Kingdom

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Of the top 10 highest paying countries, the United Kingdom falls number eight on the list, checking in at a staggering 50% tax rate. However, to be obliged to pay such rate, you must have to make at least $231,000. Worse, if you have personal allowances on income that hits $160,000, your tax rate is automatically driven at 60%. People earning less than $14,300 however are free from paying their taxes. Capital gains taxes can reach as high as 28%, while social security taxes can hit at 14%.

7. Japan

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The seventh country to hold the top 10 countries with highest tax is Japan. At an average tax rate of 50%, Japan has considerably the highest income tax rate throughout the whole Asian region. However, the tax rate kicks in only at $228,880, something really high in a country whose average income is only $53,200.

6. Austria

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For people in Austria with an income of at least $74,442, the tax rate required is 50%. It is a known fact that Austria is considered one of the most conducive to living places in the world, that is, if you are willing to shell out a hefty amount for that privilege. This 6th of the top 10 highest tax paying countries also has social security rates of 18 percent. For bonus payments, you are charged six percent, and 25 percent for capital gains tax. Additionally, people who stash away their money in different Swiss banks are taxed via a special agreement between Austrian and Swiss governments.

5. Belgium

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When living in Belgium, you are taxed fifty percent if you have an income of at least $45, 037. The tax rate of this country is relatively higher than its neighboring countries in Western Europe. The country also charges municipal taxes of 11 percent, social security taxes for 13% for employees and 35% for their employers, and 33% of capital gains tax. Belgium has actually the highest tax in the world, along with the worst social security burden. Single taxpayers can only take home less than forty-five percent of their income, while those in the highest income bracket only take home less than forty percent. Undoubtedly, this country is one of the top 10 countries with the highest taxes.

4. Netherlands

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In the whole Western Europe, this country has the highest tax rate with an average of 45.7%. The country, with an average income of $57,000 also tax 25% of capital gains. Furthermore, their government collects six percent of land transfer tax and forty percent of inheritance tax.

3. Denmark

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Third of our top 10 highest tax paying countries is Denmark. People with an income of at least 470, 533 is obliged to pay 55.38 percent from that amount. However, this figure is actually an adjusted rate. The top marginal rate for Denmark was originally at 62.3% way back 2008. This country also taxes capital gains by forty two percent and twenty eight percent for dividend income. Denmark is very keen with their tax collection that even the Danish church is not exempted since they too are taxed from 0.4 to 1.5 percent. Fifteen percent of tax money is also collected from gifts over a particular threshold amount.

2. Sweden

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Sweden is one of the very few countries where its citizens are privileged with subsidized health care and free education, and even funded transportation services. Everybody is also guaranteed basic pension, all these as a results of a tax scheme created by the Swedish government. People with extremely high incomes are collected tax rates of 56.6%. This rate is particular for those with income of $85,851. The government also collects 30% tax on investment income, property holdings, or social security.

1. Aruba

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The number one on our top 10 highest tax paying countries is Aruba, with a staggering 58.95% of tax rate for those earning at least $171, 149. Aruba is said to have the highest living standard in the Caribbean. Belonging to the Dutch territory, Aruba has the highest income tax rate in the world. They also collect 25% of capital gains. Married residents who meet the required income are charged at 55.85%, slightly lower than the average tax rate.