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Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2818| Senate 
| Updated: 9/16/2025
Bernard Sanders

Bernard Sanders

Independent Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (5)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This bill seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by imposing an additional corporate tax on companies exhibiting a high ratio of executive to median worker compensation. Specifically, it targets corporations where the pay of the CEO or highest-paid employee is more than 50 times that of their median worker. The legislation defines this "pay ratio" using a 5-year annualized average, based on existing SEC regulations, and extends its application to certain large private corporations with average annual gross receipts of at least $100,000,000. The proposed tax increase is structured as a **penalty** added to the standard 21 percent corporate tax rate, with the magnitude of the increase escalating based on the severity of the pay disparity. For instance, a pay ratio between 50:1 and 100:1 would incur a 0.5 percentage point increase, while a ratio exceeding 500:1 would result in a 5 percentage point increase. The Secretary of the Treasury is also directed to issue regulations to prevent companies from avoiding this tax by manipulating their workforce composition, such as by using contractors instead of employees. These provisions are slated to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2849
Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-794
Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3620
Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2024
Sep 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5298
Introduced in House
Sep 16, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 16, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2849
    Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-794
    Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3620
    Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2024


  • September 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5298
    Introduced in House


  • September 16, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 16, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Taxation

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5298: Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2025

Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2025

USA119th CongressS-2818| Senate 
| Updated: 9/16/2025
This bill seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 by imposing an additional corporate tax on companies exhibiting a high ratio of executive to median worker compensation. Specifically, it targets corporations where the pay of the CEO or highest-paid employee is more than 50 times that of their median worker. The legislation defines this "pay ratio" using a 5-year annualized average, based on existing SEC regulations, and extends its application to certain large private corporations with average annual gross receipts of at least $100,000,000. The proposed tax increase is structured as a **penalty** added to the standard 21 percent corporate tax rate, with the magnitude of the increase escalating based on the severity of the pay disparity. For instance, a pay ratio between 50:1 and 100:1 would incur a 0.5 percentage point increase, while a ratio exceeding 500:1 would result in a 5 percentage point increase. The Secretary of the Treasury is also directed to issue regulations to prevent companies from avoiding this tax by manipulating their workforce composition, such as by using contractors instead of employees. These provisions are slated to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 116-2849
Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-794
Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-3620
Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2024
Sep 11, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-5298
Introduced in House
Sep 16, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Sep 16, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 116-2849
    Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-794
    Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-3620
    Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2024


  • September 11, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-5298
    Introduced in House


  • September 16, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • September 16, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Bernard Sanders

Bernard Sanders

Independent Senator

Vermont

Cosponsors (5)
Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Chris Van Hollen (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Taxation

Related Bills

  • HR 119-5298: Tax Excessive CEO Pay Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted