The "top marginal rate" means very little by itself. What matters is the effective rate which takes into account the credits/deductions that are allowed, the ot

The "top marginal rate" means very little by itself. What matters is the effective rate which takes into account the credits/deductions that are allowed, the other lower tax rates, etc. For example, the top 10% paid 49% of taxes in 1980 and paid 70% in 2014. (http://www.ntu.org/foundation/page/who-pays-income-taxes http://www.ntu.org/foundation/page/who-pays-income-taxes)