The Invisible Tax on Women

How Undercharging and Overgiving Are Costing Us Millions

By Anna Bruno – Global Speaker, Columnist & Founder of Acceleration Circle

There’s a tax that isn’t filed with your accountant. It’s the one women pay every day—quietly and often unconsciously.

When we undercharge for our services, overgive our time and energy, or downplay our goals to appear “reasonable,” we’re paying what I call The Invisible Tax on Women.

And it’s costing us far more than we realize.

The Hidden Price of Politeness

From a young age, women are conditioned to be grateful, agreeable, humble.
But when gratitude replaces self-worth, it becomes a financial liability.

Even some of the world’s most successful women have lived this.
Oprah Winfrey has publicly said she used to feel guilty asking for more money—until she realized, “You’re not asking for money. You’re asking to be paid what you’re worth.”
Beyoncé once shared that she had to fight for ownership over her brand and creative direction because people assumed she wouldn’t notice—or wouldn’t push back.
J.K. Rowling accepted a tiny advance for the first Harry Potter book—only £2,500—because she didn’t know she could ask for more.

These women eventually claimed their power. But many of us are still caught in the early chapters of that journey.

This Tax Doesn’t Just Hurt Your Wallet

This invisible tax takes many forms:
– Undercharging leads to overworking and under-earning.
– Overgiving causes burnout and resentment.
– Avoiding negotiation can cost hundreds of thousands over a lifetime.

According to the Harvard Business Review, only 7% of women attempt to negotiate their first salary—compared to 57% of men. And when they do, women ask for 30% less on average.

How to Break the Cycle (Starting Today)

This isn’t just a money issue. It’s a self-worth issue. But awareness is powerful. Here’s how to start making the shift:

1. Know Your Numbers – What’s your time worth? Your emotional energy? Your experience?
2. Raise Your Rates, Period – If you’re overdelivering, it’s time to realign the value equation.
3. Replace Apologies with Boundaries – “No” is a complete sentence—and “yes” should come with terms.
4. Audit Your Unpaid Labor – Emotional support. Volunteering. Admin work. Assign these a dollar value.
5. Practice “Power Language” – Not: “Is that okay with you?” Say: “This is what I offer, and this is the investment.”
6. Invest in Yourself Like You’re the Asset – Mentorship, mindset coaching, or passive income—it’s strategy.

What Would Change If You Stopped Paying the Tax?

Think about that.
What doors would open if you didn’t shrink?
How much more energy would you have if you weren’t overgiving?
What would it look like to charge what you’re actually worth?

Because unapologetic wealth isn’t about greed. It’s about alignment. And it’s long overdue.

Let’s make this the generation of women who build wealth not just for themselves—but for the generations that follow.

About the Author

Anna Bruno is a global speaker, educator, and founder of Acceleration Circle, a platform empowering women and entrepreneurs through business mentorship, financial education, and real-world tools for success. She’s also the founder of Thrive Armenia Foundation, which supports skills development and social entrepreneurship for displaced women.

Anna writes a regular column for Global Woman magazine and delivers transformational talks around the world on money, mindset, and personal power.

Learn more or join a program:
Website: www.accelerationcircle.com
Instagram: @getskillswithanna
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annabrunoglobal/

### Take the Quiz: Are You Undercharging, Overgiving, or Underearning?

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Your wealth begins with awareness.