Progressive tax

Understand how progressive taxation works in India, its advantages, disadvantages, and how it compares with regressive taxes. Plus, discover a safe way to grow your savings with fixed deposits
Secure your wealth with Bajaj Finance FD
4 min
29-September-2025

A progressive tax is a system where the tax rate increases as income rises. Simply put, people earning more contribute a larger portion of their income toward taxes compared to those with lower earnings.

In India, the income tax system follows this progressive model, with tax slabs designed to reduce income inequality and promote fairness. While higher earners pay more, those in lower income groups are taxed less, creating a balance between contribution and capacity to pay.

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Examples of progressive tax

Progressive taxation is widely implemented across economies, including India. Some common examples include:

  • Income tax: Individuals are taxed based on income slabs, with higher earners paying a greater percentage.

  • Corporate tax: Large businesses with higher profits pay more compared to smaller enterprises.

  • Capital gains tax: Rates may vary depending on the size of investment returns, making it progressive in nature.

  • Luxury tax: Items like luxury cars, jewellery, and high-value properties attract higher taxes, ensuring wealthier individuals contribute more.

Just like tax slabs ensure fairness, you can balance your savings with a Bajaj Finance FD, which offers flexible tenures from 12 to 60 months for all types of investors. Open FD.

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Advantages of a progressive tax

A progressive tax structure has several benefits that support both individuals and the economy:

  • Reduces income inequality: Wealth is redistributed by taxing higher earners more.

  • Boosts government revenue: Funds collected from higher brackets are channelled into public infrastructure and welfare.

  • Promotes social equity: Lower-income groups face reduced tax burdens, encouraging fairness.

  • Stimulates demand: With lower taxes, people in lower slabs enjoy more disposable income, fuelling economic growth.

Similarly, investing in a Bajaj Finance FD gives you predictable growth. With a high safety rating (AAA/Stable from CRISIL and ICRA), you can be sure your money works as hard as you do. Book FD.

Disadvantages of a progressive tax

Despite its positives, progressive taxation has a few drawbacks:

  • Discourages high earnings: Higher tax rates may discourage individuals from pursuing higher income opportunities.

  • Encourages tax evasion: Wealthier groups may seek loopholes or offshore tax havens.

  • Complex administration: Tracking income across slabs demands detailed audits and adds costs.

  • Risk of capital flight: High earners may shift investments abroad to reduce tax exposure.

To counter such uncertainties, you can diversify into safer instruments like Bajaj Finance FDs, which ensure assured returns, regardless of tax complexities. Open FD account.

Progressive tax vs. Regressive tax

Here’s how progressive and regressive taxation differ:

  • Definition: Progressive tax increases with income, while regressive tax applies the same rate to everyone, burdening low-income earners more.

  • Income burden: Progressive taxation lightens the load for lower-income individuals, whereas regressive taxes affect them disproportionately.

  • Examples: Income tax and luxury tax are progressive; sales tax, fuel tax, and VAT are regressive.

  • Economic impact: Progressive taxes reduce inequality, while regressive taxes may widen the gap.

Just as progressive taxation balances income contribution, a Bajaj Finance FD balances your portfolio with steady and guaranteed growth. Invest now!

Conclusion

Progressive taxation ensures fairness by taxing citizens based on their ability to pay, helping bridge income gaps while supporting national growth. Yet, challenges like evasion and complexity remain.

While taxation systems keep evolving, your personal finances should remain steady. A Bajaj Finance Fixed Deposit is a reliable way to protect and grow your wealth, offering one of the highest FD rates in India and flexible options for all types of savers.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a progressive tax with an example?

A progressive tax is a taxation system where the tax rate increases as an individual’s income rises. Higher earners pay a larger percentage of their income in taxes compared to lower-income individuals. 

Example: India’s income tax system follows a progressive structure, with tax slabs increasing for higher income groups, ensuring fair wealth distribution and reducing income inequality.

Why should I invest in a Bajaj Finance FD?

Bajaj Finance FDs offer assured returns up to 7.30% p.a., flexible tenures, and the highest safety ratings (AAA/Stable). It’s one of the safest ways to grow your money. Open FD account.

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Disclaimer

As regards deposit taking activity of Bajaj Finance Ltd (BFL), the viewers may refer to the advertisement in the Indian Express (Mumbai Edition) and Loksatta (Pune Edition) furnished in the application form for soliciting public deposits or refer https://www.bajajfinserv.in/fixed-deposit-archives The company is having a valid Certificate of Registration dated March 5, 1998 issued by the Reserve Bank of India under section 45 IA of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. However, the RBI does not accept any responsibility or guarantee about the present position as to the financial soundness of the company or for the correctness of any of the statements or representations made or opinions expressed by the company and for repayment of deposits/discharge of the liabilities by the company.

For the FD calculator the actual returns may vary slightly if the Fixed Deposit tenure includes a leap year.

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