The World's Highest Corporate Tax Rates 2010

Photo: View Photos | a.collectionRF | Getty Images With both economic growth and corporate profits under extreme pressure these days, corporate tax rates are under greater scrutiny around the globe. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) has tracked corporate tax data from its member countries every year since 1981. The tax rates listed here are “combined corporate income tax rates,” a number that includes both national and local levies. It should be noted that the OECD only compiles corporate tax data on its 30 member countries,which do not include the BRIC nations, as these countries are not currently full members. So, which countries have the highest corporate tax rates? Click ahead to find out! And in case you were wondering, the lowest rates for OECD member countries are in Ireland (12.5%) and Iceland (15%). GDP growth forecasts are from the IMF, unless otherwise noted. By Paul ToscanoPosted 14 Dec 2010

Photo: Ken Straiton | Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 29.52% Current rate in place since: 2010 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +3.6%Last Three Rate Changes2009: Reduced to 31.32% 2008: Reduced to to 31.72% 2007: Reduced to 34.09% from 34.36%, a rate in place since 2004.

Photo: Ed Freeman | Photodisc | Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 30% Current rate in place since: 2008 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +3%Last Three Rate Changes 2008: Reduced to 30% 1989: Raised to 33% 1988: Reduced to 28% from 48%, a rate in place since 1986.

Photo: Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 30% Current rate in place since: 2008 2010 forecasted GDP growth: -0.4%Last Three Rate Changes 2008: Reduced to 30% 2007: Reduced to 32.5% 2006: Raised to 35% from 33%, a rate in place since 1981.

Photo: Jerry Driendl | Taxi | Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 30% Current rate in place since: 2001 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +3.3%Last Three Rate Changes 2001: Reduced to 30% 2000: Reduced to 34% 1999: Raised to 36% from 33%, a rate in place since 1993.

Photo: Peter Wilson | Dorling Kindersley | Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 30% Current rate in place since: 2010 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +4.5%Last Three Rate Changes2010: Raised to 30% 2000: Reduced to 28% 1999: Reduced to 29% from 30%, a rate in place since 2004.

Photo: Richard Ross | Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 30.18% Current rate in place since: 2008 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +1.4%Last Three Rate Changes 2008: Reduced to 30.18% 2004: Reduced to 38.9% 2003: Raised to 40.2% from 38.9%, a rate in place since 2001.

Photo: Keren Su | Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 33.99% Current rate in place since: 2003 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +1.6%*Last Three Rate Changes 2003: Reduced to 33.99% 1993: Raised to 40.2% 1991: Reduced to 39.0% from 41%, a rate in place since 1990.*Source: Global Finance

Photo: Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 34.43% Current rate in place since: 2006 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +1.4%Last Three Rate Changes 2006: Reduced to 34.43% 2005: Reduced to 34.95% 2004: Reduced to 35.43% from 36.43%, a rate in place since 2001

Photo: Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 39.21% Current rate in place since: 2008 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +3.3%Recent Rate Changes Rates have fluctuated within the narrow range of 39.25% and 39.44% since 1998. The largest year-over-year changes since 1981 were 1986-1987 (49.8% to 44.2%) and 1987-1988 (44.2% to 38.6%).

Photo: Robin MacDougall | Getty Images Combined Corporate Income Tax Rate: 39.54% Current rate in place since: 2004 2010 forecasted GDP growth: +2.4%Last Three Rate Changes 2004: Reduced to 39.54% 1999: Reduced to 40.9% 1998: Reduced to 46.4% from 50%, a rate in place since 1990.* *OECD data only dates back to 1990.

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