Most of the gap is opened by United States's Foreign Earned Income Exclusion regime, which displaces the standard schedule. Both countries are indicated in USD at the displayed FX.
| Personal income tax progressive · top 10% | $10,000 |
| Social security 13.8% employee · capped | $3,794 |
| Total deductions | $13,794 |
| Gross income | $100,000 |
| Net take-home | $86,206 |
| Personal income tax feie · 0% flat | — |
| Social security 22.9% employee · capped | $7,650 |
| Total deductions | $7,650 |
| Gross income | $100,000 |
| Net take-home | $92,350 |
| Instrument | Bulgaria · USD | United States · USD | Δ (US − BG) |
|---|---|---|---|
I. Personal income tax | |||
Personal income tax BGprogressive · top 10%USfeie · 0% flat | $10,000 | — | −$10,000 |
| subtotal · personal income tax | $10,000 | $0 | −$10,000 |
II. Mandatory social security & health | |||
~13.78% (pension 8.78% + health 3.2% + others). Cap BGN 4,130/mo → annual BGN 49,560. BG13.8% · capped лв49,560US— | $3,794 | — | −$3,794 |
FICA 6.2% SS (cap $184,500) + 1.45% Medicare (uncapped). Additional 0.9% Medicare above $200k not modeled. BG—US7.6% · capped $184,500 | — | $7,650 | +$7,650 |
SECA: both employer + employee portions paid by SE. BG—US15.3% · capped $184,500 | — | — | — |
| subtotal · mandatory social security & health | $3,794 | $7,650 | +$3,856 |
| Total deductions | $13,794 | $7,650 | −$6,144 |
| Effective rate | 13.8% | 7.6% | -6.1 pp |
| Gross income | $100,000 | $100,000 | — |
| Net take-home | $86,206 | $92,350 | +$6,144 |
Table 1 · Statutory deductions, single-filer remote worker, FY2026 indicative. All amounts in USD. n/a where instrument does not apply. | |||
| PPP basis · NYC = 100 | Bulgaria | United States | Δ |
|---|---|---|---|
Cost-of-living index Indicative · placeholder until COL table ships | 42.0 | 100.0 | +58.0 pts |
Nominal net (annual) From the engine — exact | $86,206 | $92,350 | +$6,144 |
| Real net · Bulgaria basket | $86,206 | $38,787 | −$47,419 |
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