Very high tax rates in Europe are generally less about healthcare than about pensions, really, in most cases. Most European countries are a bit further down the demographic crisis road than the US is (and they mostly have higher life expectancies, too), so the cost of pensions has really become quite a big deal. Most European countries also have either very cheap or free university tuition; if you don’t qualify for a grant it’s 2k here, say. (This is an increase, due to the GFC; when I was in university it was 50 euro a year…)
That said, for _most_ countries, 40-70% effective tax is very high, and not encountered by the average person. To pay 40% effective in Ireland, say, you’d have to be earning at least 150k, and that’s assuming you’re single, have no kids, don’t pay rent or mortgage, and have no private pension (401k equivalent) contributions. Realistically, almost no-one hits those sorts of rates; for realistic setups you’re looking at closer to 200k for a single childless person.
It is impossible, here, outside of ultra-contrived circumstances, to pay over a 52% effective tax rate.
That said, for _most_ countries, 40-70% effective tax is very high, and not encountered by the average person. To pay 40% effective in Ireland, say, you’d have to be earning at least 150k, and that’s assuming you’re single, have no kids, don’t pay rent or mortgage, and have no private pension (401k equivalent) contributions. Realistically, almost no-one hits those sorts of rates; for realistic setups you’re looking at closer to 200k for a single childless person.
It is impossible, here, outside of ultra-contrived circumstances, to pay over a 52% effective tax rate.