The paper says the top tax rate is 83%. SaneCite found: with the standard formula, 57%.
Optimal Taxation of Top Labor Incomes (2014). Best top tax rate. One of the problems an AI audit listed; our full note.
Best top tax rate
The paper (Piketty, Saez and Stantcheva)SaneCite: the standard formula (the paper prints it too)
With the standard formula, the top rate is 26 points lower.
Source: SaneCite check of the AI audit of Saez and Zucman’s research. Details. Data as of 9 Nov 2026.
Source: SaneCite check of the AI audit of Saez and Zucman’s research, data as of 9 Nov 2026 · sanecite.com/charts
Show the numbers
| Bar | Value |
|---|---|
| The paper (Piketty, Saez and Stantcheva) | 83% |
| SaneCite: the standard formula (the paper prints it too) | 57% |
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