We hear all the time that the "rich don't pay their fair share of taxes" (123,000 Google search results for that phrase). Here's an analysis using recent IRS data that suggests otherwise.

1. In 2009, the top 400 taxpayers based on Adjusted Gross Income earned $81 billion as a group, and paid $16.1 billion in federal income taxes (see chart above).

2. In 2009, the bottom 50% of taxpayers, a group totaling 69 million, earned collectively more than $1 trillion and paid $19.5 billion in federal income taxes (see chart above).

Bottom Line: A small group of 400 of America's most successful earners in 2009, about the number of residents living in a typical apartment building in Washington, D.C., paid almost as much in federal income taxes as the entire bottom half of America's 138 million tax filers, which is a population equivalent to the combined number of residents living in America's 29 least populated states, plus the District of Columbia. What makes this disparity possible is the fact that an estimated 47% of individual income tax returns filed in 2009 had a zero or negative tax liability.

When you have only 400 Americans paying almost as much in federal income taxes as the entire bottom 50% of American filing income tax returns, I think we can dismiss any notion of the rich not paying their fair share of taxes. In fact, the IRS should publish the names and addresses of the Top 400 (or to protect anonymity, agree to provide a forwarding service), so that we can all send them "Thank You" letters to express our gratitude for shouldering such a disproportionate share of our collective tax burden.

Let's look at it this way, using your numbers:

- the TOP 400 earners paid 19.8% of their income in taxes.
- the BOTTOM 50% of earners paid 19.5% of their income in taxes.

Unmentioned is those between the bottom 50% and the top 400 (probably the (0.0001%) - they are the ones bearing the brunt.

I am just below the top 1% in earnings and within the top 1% in wealth, and I feel that top earners can and should pay more to support the nation.

Citizens who wish to make a general donation to the U.S. government may send contributions to a specific account called "Gifts to the United States." This account was established in 1843 to accept gifts, such as bequests, from individuals wishing to express their patriotism to the United States.

Let's look at it this way, using your numbers:

- the TOP 400 earners paid 19.8% of their income in taxes.
- the BOTTOM 50% of earners paid 19.5% of their income in taxes.

Unmentioned is those between the bottom 50% and the top 400 (probably the (0.0001%) - they are the ones bearing the brunt.

I am just below the top 1% in earnings and within the top 1% in wealth, and I feel that top earners can and should pay more to support the nation.

Who's to say DJS hasn't sent a check, or even several checks, as gifts to the Gov't?

Why avoid his main point?

The middle 49.99% of the people bear the brunt.

I will add that it is shocking to me that 400 people have almost the same income as everyone in the bottom 50% (69 million people according to the post!!) of taxpayers!

my friend, the group that bears the brunt is the top 25%, who pay more than 85% of all personal income taxes.

Let's look at it this way, using your numbers:

- the TOP 400 earners paid 19.8% of their income in taxes.
- the BOTTOM 50% of earners paid 1.95% of their income in taxes.

Unmentioned is those between the bottom 50% and the top 400 (probably the (0.0001%) - they are the ones bearing the brunt.

I am just below the top 1% in earnings and within the top 1% in wealth, and I feel that top earners can and should pay more to support the nation.

Let's look at it this way, using your numbers:

- the TOP 400 earners paid 19.8% of their income in taxes.
- the BOTTOM 50% of earners paid 19.5% of their income in taxes.

Unmentioned is those between the bottom 50% and the top 400 (probably the (0.0001%) - they are the ones bearing the brunt.

I am just below the top 1% in earnings and within the top 1% in wealth, and I feel that top earners can and should pay more to support the nation.

Let's look at it this way, using your numbers:

- the TOP 400 earners paid 19.8% of their income in taxes.
- the BOTTOM 50% of earners paid 19.5% of their income in taxes.

Unmentioned is those between the bottom 50% and the top 400 (probably the (0.0001%) - they are the ones bearing the brunt.

I am just below the top 1% in earnings and within the top 1% in wealth, and I feel that top earners can and should pay more to support the nation.

Who's to say DJS hasn't sent a check, or even several checks, as gifts to the Gov't?

Why avoid his main point?

The middle 49.99% of the people bear the brunt.

I will add that it is shocking to me that 400 people have almost the same income as everyone in the bottom 50% (69 million people according to the post!!) of taxpayers!

Fact is most people under $40K a year pay near zero or get money back.

And, that was my point. The poorest can't pay much; they just don't have it. The middle class can (and should) pay taxes, but they are stressed with daily expenses. The wealthiest can pay more (although I recognize they too have limits); how many 150' yachts can they use at one time.

The wealthiest can pay more (although I recognize they too have limits); how many 150' yachts can they use at one time.

flat tax across the board is the way to go.

Let's look at it this way, using your numbers:

- the TOP 400 earners paid 19.8% of their income in taxes.
- the BOTTOM 50% of earners paid 19.5% of their income in taxes.

Unmentioned is those between the bottom 50% and the top 400 (probably the (0.0001%) - they are the ones bearing the brunt.

I am just below the top 1% in earnings and within the top 1% in wealth, and I feel that top earners can and should pay more to support the nation.

And, that was my point. The poorest can't pay much; they just don't have it. The middle class can (and should) pay taxes, but they are stressed with daily expenses. The wealthiest can pay more (although I recognize they too have limits); how many 150' yachts can they use at one time.

It's the only way. The law of the land even states everyone treated equally under the law why aren't we there. Can you say vote buying? Penis envey is Obama number one weapon.

And, that was my point. The poorest can't pay much; they just don't have it. The middle class can (and should) pay taxes, but they are stressed with daily expenses. The wealthiest can pay more (although I recognize they too have limits); how many 150' yachts can they use at one time.

I disagree, and rather favor the Fair Tax concept as it is rooted in consumption.

I disagree, and rather favor the Fair Tax concept as it is rooted in consumption.

Let's look at it this way, using your numbers:

- the TOP 400 earners paid 19.8% of their income in taxes.
- the BOTTOM 50% of earners paid 19.5% of their income in taxes.


I am just below the top 1% in earnings and within the top 1% in wealth, and I feel that top earners can and should pay more to support the nation.

flat tax across the board is the way to go.

Djs: You are living in bizarro land if you think the bottom 50% of wage earners in this country today are paying 19.5% of their income to the Feds in income taxes every year!

Djs: You are living in bizarro land if you think the bottom 50% of wage earners in this country today are paying 19.5% of their income to the Feds in income taxes every year!
Do you even live in this country (United States of America!)?
And you make no sense what so ever with your "0.0001%" contention either.
Like ejh mentions the only fair tax (remember the equal justice under the law doctrine?) is a flat tax that applies to EVERY wage earner, not excluding hussein oblamer voters like is the norm today!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

why should a person just because they earn more pay a higher % of their income to the government?

ML

That has been pointed out to him over and over but he refuses to acknowledge his ignorance on the subject. Pretty much renders all his arguments worthless. Eh?

The numbers ARE yours.....you did the math coming up with 19%....you're a decimal place off. It averages to 1.9%

1. They are better able to pay to support the nation.
2. they have more freedom (choice is often derived from the ability to pay, so they have greater freedom of choice)
3. They derive a greater benefit in terms of protection, rights, living standards and, health (they can afford broccoli, fresh vegetables and excellent medical care).
4. They get more and better tax breaks than others. E.G., if I wasn't able to write off a number of deductions, my tax bill would be about $45-48,000 HIGHER each year. Thank God for those deductions; I'll use them all I can, realizing that I get something many don't!

It is interesting that many here keep defending the wealthier when in fact, they are not there and probably never will be. If a magic fairy gave everyone $2,000,000, then there would still be a top 1.5% and they wouldn�t be in it, according to the laws of statistics.

[quote=VarmintGuy]Djs: You are living in bizarro land if you think the bottom 50% of wage earners in this country today are paying 19.5% of their income to the Feds in income taxes every year!



The numbers are not mine; I took them directly from the initial posting and offer no opinion as to their veracity. The initial posting said: "2. In 2009, the bottom 50% of taxpayers, a group totaling 69 million, earned collectively more than $1 trillion and paid $19.5 billion in federal income taxes (see chart above).�

1. They are better able to pay to support the nation.

Completely irrelevant and goes against all sense of fairness. It is simply unethical to forcibly take more from one person than another simply because they have more.


2. they have more freedom (choice is often derived from the ability to pay, so they have greater freedom of choice)

What has that got to do with anything?


3. They derive a greater benefit in terms of protection, rights, living standards and, health (they can afford broccoli, fresh vegetables and excellent medical care).

Not true. I paid about $50K last year in taxes and used virtually no government services, while many around me that don't work received a stream of welfare payments, free healthcare, baby sitting services, etc. while they also cost the government money by their burden on the criminal justice system by frequent arrests and incarceration.


4. They get more and better tax breaks than others. E.G., if I wasn't able to write off a number of deductions, my tax bill would be about $45-48,000 HIGHER each year. Thank God for those deductions; I'll use them all I can, realizing that I get something many don't!

There's no such thing as a "tax break". It's simply reducing taxes that shouldn't have been owed to begin with. The government setting taxes at an exorbitant level then expecting to be praised because they temporarily reduced them is much akin to me claiming that I gave you a car because I didn't steal your vehicle.

It is interesting that many here keep defending the wealthier when in fact, they are not there and probably never will be. If a magic fairy gave everyone $2,000,000, then there would still be a top 1.5% and they wouldn�t be in it, according to the laws of statistics.

To anyone with a sense of fairness and decency it doesn't matter if they'll ever be in the top 1.5% or not, we can still tell right from wrong. I'll never be Chinese either, but I still feel sympathy for those living under the horrors of their communist system.

why should a person just because they earn more pay a higher % of their income to the government?

ML

The numbers ARE yours.....you did the math coming up with 19%....you're a decimal place off. It averages to 1.9%

what happened to djs? where is SAcharlie to straighten us all out?

sales tax??

flat tax across the board is the way to go.

You willing to put that on everything?

You willing to put that on everything?body

Let's look at it this way, using your numbers:

- the TOP 400 earners paid 19.8% of their income in taxes.
- the BOTTOM 50% of earners paid 19.5% of their income in taxes.

Unmentioned is those between the bottom 50% and the top 400 (probably the (0.0001%) - they are the ones bearing the brunt.

I am just below the top 1% in earnings and within the top 1% in wealth, and I feel that top earners can and should pay more to support the nation.