what is the purpose of a progressive tax 
progressive taxes exist so the burden of paying for government services oversight and infrastructure doesn t fall disproportionately on those earning lesser incomes those who earn less are taxed at a lesser rate those who earn more are taxed at a higher rate this concept is known as ability to pay taxation the top earners are taxed more and on larger sums of money so a progressive tax increases the amount of tax revenue coming in the bottom linea progressive tax progresses to higher tax rates as taxable income increases individuals with lower incomes are taxed at lower rates than those with higher incomes the u s progressive income tax involves seven tax brackets each with its own rate these tax rates are 10 12 22 24 32 35 and 37 in 2024 the rates didn t change from 2023 to 2024 but the ranges of income covered by the brackets increased to reflect inflation 2