progressive tax

Cultural  

1. A tax that takes a higher proportion of large incomes than of small ones. (Compare regressive tax.)

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Example Sentences

A buoyant stock market and strong capital gains have turbocharged tax revenue in most states, especially those with progressive tax systems.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 22, 2026

The U.S. has a progressive tax system, meaning most people are taxed in multiple tax brackets, at rates that increase as their taxable pay rises past thresholds.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 9, 2025

“How we do that is a more difficult and challenging conversation. And the volatility is foundational in terms of the tax system we have — the progressive tax system.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2024

“We have a pretty progressive tax policy in the state here already,” he told reporters in November.

From New York Times • Jan. 23, 2024

He called for a tax on yearly incomes, a progressive tax, a European federation, and the education of the people, the encouragement of the fine arts on the liberal scale.

From Sentimental Education, Volume II The History of a Young Man by Flaubert, Gustave