regressive
ri-GRES-iv
/rɪˈɡres.ɪv/
(Of a tax) taking a larger percentage of income from low-income earners than from high-income earners.
Flat consumption taxes (like sales tax) are functionally regressive because lower-income households spend a larger fraction of their total income on basic necessities.
The story behind the word. Combines Latin 're-' (back, backward) and 'gradi' (to step). In fiscal analysis, a regressive tax causes economic fairness to 'step backward' because lower income earners bear a proportionally heavier burden.
Word relationships
- disproportionate: 'Disproportionate' describes an uneven distribution in general; 'regressive' specifically means penalizing lower income tiers more heavily.
- progressive: Progressive taxation taxes higher incomes at higher percentage rates; regressive taxation takes a higher percentage from lower incomes.
Commonly confused with
- progressive: Regressive taxes harm lower earners proportionally more; progressive taxes take more from higher earners.
Word family
- regressively (adverb): In a manner that places a higher percentage burden on lower income tiers.
- regression (noun): A return to a former or less developed state.
Collocations
- regressive tax
- regressive effect
- regressive system
- regressive impact
Example sentences
- "Critics contend that sales taxes are inherently regressive because poorer households spend a greater percentage of their income on taxable goods." Consumer Tax Policy
- "A flat fee on energy usage can act as a regressive tax on rural communities." Public Economics
Memory hook
REgress = REstepping backward, hurting those at the lower end of the ladder. Regressive = Takes larger percentage from low earners.
When not to use
Do not describe a policy as 'regressive' unless you mean it places a disproportionately higher financial burden on those with fewer resources.
Fun facts
- State lotteries are frequently cited by economists as a form of regressive voluntary taxation because low-income populations buy a disproportionate share of tickets.
Related words
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