Although the statutory top marginal tax rate was over 90% in the 1950s, the average tax rate for the highest income taxpayers was much lower. The average tax rates at five-year intervals since 1945 for the top and top of taxpayers are shown in Figure 1. The average tax rate for the top (one taxpayer in 10,000) was about 60% in 1945 and fell to by 1990. The average tax rate for the top (one taxpayer in 1,000) was 55% in 1945 and also fell to by 1990, following a similar downward path as.
