§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer, further to the replies to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, of 25th May and 28th June, if he will now publish figures on a similar basis showing the level of gross income in each of the member States of the EEC and in Sweden, the United States of America, Canada, Australia and Japan at which a single person is liable for tax at 50 per cent. on his earned income.
§ Mr. Robert SheldonThe information requested is given in the table below:
Country Income year Marginal rate Gross income level Per cent. £ Belgium 1978 52.5 18,620 Denmark (1) 1978 See notes France 1977 54 48,490 Germany 1978 50 15,970 Ireland 1978–79 50 6,930 Italy 1978 50 67,110 Luxembourg 1978 51.25 9,950 Netherlands 1978 50 11,790 United Kingdom 1978–79 50 10,986 Sweden 1978 53 12,000 United States 1978 50 18,390 Canada (2) 1978 See notes Australia (3) 1978–79 60 (and see notes) 20,760 Japan 1978 54 91,770 Notes:
A. Where there is no marginal rate of 50 per cent., information is given for the lowest rate above 50 per cent.
B. Exchange rates are those for 20th July 1978.
C. Account has been taken of personal reliefs minimum deductions for expenses, employmen income reliefs, other flat rate reliefs, and deductible social security contributions.
D. Local income taxes have been disregarded as in the two previous questions.
Specific countries:
(1) Denmark: The top rate of national income tax is 39.6 per cent., which begins at the equivalent of £12,130.
(2) Canada: The top rate of federal income tax is 43 per cent., which begins at the equivalent of £44,920.
(3) Australia: The rate immediately below 50 per cent., viz. 46 per cent., begin at the equivalent of £10,380.