United Kingdom vs United States
Tax Rate Comparison
Enter your income below for a personal tax estimate, then scroll down for full rate breakdowns.
💰 Personal Income Tax Calculator
Enter your income to see your estimated annual tax liability in each country — side by side.
Individual Income Tax (Top Marginal Rate)
VAT / GST / Sales Tax
Corporate Tax Rate
Capital Gains Tax
Social Security & Payroll
🇬🇧 United Kingdom — Devolved, Council & Business Rates
Scotland sets its own income tax bands (six bands; top rate 48%). Wales has limited income tax-varying powers. Northern Ireland follows UK rates. All residents pay Council Tax to local authorities (typically £1,200–£4,000+/year). Business rates are set nationally but collected locally. SDLT applies to property purchases (LBTT in Scotland, LTT in Wales).
🇺🇸 United States — State & Local Taxes
The U.S. has 50 states each setting their own income tax (0%–13.3%). California tops at 13.3%, while Texas, Florida, and Nevada levy no state income tax. NYC adds its own income tax (up to 3.876%). Sales taxes vary from 0% (Oregon) to over 11% combined. Property taxes are primarily local. Some states like Washington have introduced capital gains levies.
United Kingdom vs United States: Key Tax Differences (2026)
💰 Income Tax: 🇬🇧 United Kingdom has a higher top income tax rate (0–45% vs 10–37%). 🇺🇸 United States is more favourable for high earners.
🛒 VAT/Sales Tax: United Kingdom has a higher consumption tax (0–20% vs 0–11%).
🏢 Corporate Tax: 🇺🇸 United States offers a lower corporate rate (21% vs 25%), which can influence business location decisions.
📈 Capital Gains: 🇺🇸 United States taxes investment gains at a lower rate (20% vs 24%), benefiting investors.