Country tax comparison calculator
Pick two of the 96 countries in GlobalTaxBook and an income, and this tool shows a rough headline tax comparison side by side. It applies each country's top statutory income tax rate to your income and adds standard VAT on an assumed share of spending — a deliberately simple, transparent estimate that runs entirely in your browser. It is not a real tax calculation: it ignores brackets, allowances, social security and residency, and it is not tax advice.
Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries. Data as of June 2026.
How it works
The calculator uses the simplest possible transparent formula so you can see exactly what it does:
headline tax ≈ income × (top income-tax rate) + net income × 50% × (standard VAT rate)
Because it uses the top marginal rate against the whole income, it overstates income tax for most people — real progressive systems tax lower bands at lower rates. Treat the output as a directional signal only. See the methodology for the assumptions and limits, and each country page for the underlying rates.
Frequently asked questions
How does the tax comparison calculator work?
It is a rough headline comparison: it applies each country's TOP statutory personal income tax rate to your whole income, then adds standard VAT on an assumed ~50% of net spending, to produce a crude 'headline tax bite'. It ignores tax brackets, allowances, deductions, social security, tax residency and treaties, so it is not a real tax calculation — just a way to make the headline rates tangible.
Is this calculator accurate enough to plan a move?
No. Because it uses only top marginal rates and a flat spending assumption, it overstates income tax for most people and is deliberately simplified. Use it for a quick directional sense, then read each country's full page and consult a qualified cross-border tax adviser before making any decision.
Why doesn't it include social security or tax brackets?
Modelling real brackets, allowances and social-security caps accurately for every country is beyond a headline tool and would imply false precision. We keep the formula transparent and honest instead — top income rate plus standard VAT — and document its limits on the methodology page.
Go deeper
Last updated: 2026-06-20