Skip to content

Corporate Income Taxes

Academic studies show that higher corporate tax rates depress worker wages and lead to fewer jobs. An Organisation for Co-operation and Development (OECD) study has found that the corporate tax is the least efficient and most harmful way for governments to raise revenue.

Download Corporate Tax Rate Primer Learn more with TaxEDU

All Related Articles

Individual Taxes Are the Most Important Tax Revenue Source for the United States Sources of Tax Revenue in the United States US tax revenue, governmetn revenue in the US, US federal tax revenue 2021

Sources of U.S. Tax Revenue by Tax Type, 2021 Update

In the United States, individual income taxes (federal, state, and local) are the primary source of tax revenue, at 41.5 percent of total tax revenue. Social insurance taxes make up the second-largest share, at 24.9 percent, followed by consumption taxes, at 17.6 percent, and property taxes, at 12.1 percent.

4 min read
Reliance on corporate tax revenue in Europe 2021 reliance on corporate income taxes in Europe how much do countries in europe rely on corporate income taxes? revenue from corporate income

Reliance on Corporate Income Tax Revenue in Europe

Despite declining corporate income tax rates over the last 30 years in Europe (and other parts of the world), average revenue from corporate income taxes as a share of total tax revenue has not changed significantly compared to 1990.

1 min read
Canada's Provinces Collect Almost the Same Amount of Revenue as Its Central Government Sources of OECD Tax Revenue by Level of Government, 2019, Sources of tax revenue in the OECD tax revenue

Sources of Government Revenue in the OECD, 2021 Update

Developed countries have on average become more reliant on consumption taxes and less reliant on individual income taxes. These policy changes matter, considering that consumption-based taxes raise revenue with less distortionary effects than taxes on income.

16 min read
Maryland digital advertising tax litigation internet tax, Maryland digital ad tax, Maryland tax increases and Maryland tax proposals 2021

Tax-A-Rama in Maryland

The potential override of Gov. Larry Hogan’s (R) veto of a digital advertising tax (HB732) looms large over the current legislative session in Maryland, though it is only one of many tax proposals under consideration in the state.

7 min read
EU tax research The European Commission and the Taxation of the Digital Economy EU digital levy

The European Commission and the Taxation of the Digital Economy

The consultation on the EU’s digital levy provides an opportunity for policymakers and taxpayers to reflect on the underlying issues of digital taxation and potential consequences from a digital levy. Unless the EU digital levy is designed with an OECD agreement in mind, it is likely to cause more uncertainty in cross-border tax policy.

12 min read
2021 state corporate income tax rates and brackets. 2021 state corporate tax rates. What are the state corporate tax rates for 2021? Which state has the lowest corporate tax rate? Lowest state corporate tax rate

State Corporate Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2021

North Carolina’s 2.5 percent corporate tax rate is the lowest in the country, followed by Missouri (4 percent) and North Dakota (4.31 percent). Seven other states impose top rates at or below 5 percent: Florida (4.458 percent), Colorado (4.55 percent), Arizona (4.9 percent), Utah (4.95 percent), and Kentucky, Mississippi, and South Carolina (5 percent).

7 min read
Nebraska income tax reform and Nebraska tax relief pro-growth tax modernization in nebraska Nebraska Tax Modernization A Key to Economic Recovery and Growth in Nebraska

Thirteen Priorities for Pro-Growth Tax Modernization in Nebraska

We identify 13 of the highest tax reform priorities Nebraska policymakers should consider in their effort to create a more growth-friendly tax code. We also offer a sample comprehensive tax reform plan to show one way policymakers could begin tackling these objectives over the next couple legislative sessions, with further progress to be made in the years ahead.

8 min read
Janet Yellen Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen Treasury testimony confirmation testimony and hearing

5 Observations on Janet Yellen’s Recent Confirmation Testimony

In her recent confirmation hearing, economist Janet Yellen, President Biden’s choice for Treasury Secretary, sought to reassure markets that the new administration would not raise corporate taxes until the economy improves. At the same time, however, she sent a troubling signal that when they do push for higher corporate tax rates, they would do so in coordination with other countries so that the U.S. doesn’t lose its competitive edge.

5 min read
Integrated Tax Rates on Corporate Income in Europe, Top Integrated Tax Rates on Corporate Income Distributed as Dividends in European OECD Countries, 2020

Integrated Tax Rates on Corporate Income in Europe, 2021

The integrated tax rate on corporate income reflects both the corporate income tax and the dividends or capital gains tax—the total tax levied on corporate income. For dividends, Ireland’s top integrated tax rate was highest among European OECD countries, followed by France and Denmark

4 min read
How Corporate Income is Taxed Twice Double Taxation of Corporate Income in the United States and the OECD savings and investment OECD capital gains tax retirement accounts stock

Double Taxation of Corporate Income in the United States and the OECD

Biden’s proposal to increase the corporate income tax rate and to tax long-term capital gains and qualified dividends at ordinary income tax rates would increase the top integrated tax rate above pre-TCJA levels, making it the highest in the OECD and undercutting American economic competitiveness.

17 min read
tax exemption definition TaxEDU 2021 state tax changes. net operating loss policies in the OECD NOL omnibus covid-19 relief deal. phase 4 coronavirus relief, phase 4 business relief, phase 4 relief net operating loss, cost recovery

State Tax Changes Effective January 1, 2021

Twenty-six states and the District of Columbia had notable tax changes take effect on January 1, 2021. Because most states’ legislative sessions were cut short in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, fewer tax changes were adopted in 2020 than in a typical year.

24 min read
utpr pillar two us tax base oecd global minimum tax ways and means jason smith

Corporate Tax Rates Around the World

What is driving the downward trend in corporate tax rates and will it continue? Is it truly a race to the bottom? Why do corporate tax rates matter in the first place? How does the U.S. rate compare and could that change in the coming years?

Corporate Tax Rates around the World, 2020

Corporate tax rates have been declining in every region around the world over the past four decades as countries have recognized their negative impact on business investment. Our new report explores the latest corporate tax trends and compares corporate tax rates by country.

22 min read

Poland Borrows an Idea from Estonia’s Tax System, but Misses the Point

It’s important for Poland to understand the main lesson of the Estonian approach: taxes should be designed with an overarching approach to maximize neutrality and minimize complexity and distortions. Instead of simply adopting a preference for small businesses, the Polish government should instead overhaul its corporate tax rules and truly adopt the Estonian approach to taxation.

2 min read
Biden corporations More Business Income Is Reported on Individual Tax Returns Than Corporate Returns

Reviewing Effective Tax Rates Faced by Corporate Income

Economists have proposed taxing corporate income more uniformly through corporate integration, which can be done in a variety of ways. Biden’s plan goes in the opposite direction by making worse the double taxation of corporate income.

5 min read
Africa tax revenue, revenue statistics in Africa, VAT is the most important tax revenue source in Africa

OECD Report: Tax Revenue in African Countries

Taxes on goods and services were on average the greatest source of tax revenue for African countries, at over 50 percent of total tax revenues. VAT contributed on average 30 percent, making it the most important tax on goods and services.

6 min read
Ranking state corporate tax codes on the 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index. Best and worst corporate tax codes in the United States, best and worst state corporate tax codes in the U.S.

Ranking Corporate Income Taxes on the 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index

The corporate tax component of our Index measures each state’s principal tax on business activities. Most states levy a corporate income tax on a company’s profits (receipts minus most business expenses, including compensation and the cost of goods sold), while some states levy gross receipts taxes, which allow few or no deductions for a company’s expenses.

2 min read