The top 1% of Americans pay 40% of all taxes

Thursday, October 15, 2026

The top 1% of Americans pay 40% of all federal income taxes. The top 10% pay 70%. The Bottom 50% pay 3%. Still think the rich arent paying their fair share?

Posted by subliberal at 10:31 AM | 29 COMMENTS | permalink | Comment on This Entry |

Alternate links: Google News | Twitter

Comments

Admin's note: Participants in this discussion must follow the site's moderation policy. Profanity will be filtered. Abusive conduct is not allowed.

You can't solve affordability by cutting taxes. Rather, we have to raise the minimum wage to Eisenhower levels (about $23.50 an hour today).

It's the only way out of our debt crises.

#1 | Posted by HeliumRat at 2026-10-15 11:46 AM | Reply

Lie

#2 | Posted by Truthhurts at 2026-10-15 11:52 AM | Reply

Let's not forget, our entire adulthood Republicans have been working to put child rearing subsidies onto the 1040.

The EITC, CTC, ACTC, AOC, and CCC are all subsidies going to parents.

They literally passed something on a Tuesday, so that on a Wednesday they could complain that "less people are paying taxes".

And math morons fell for it.

#3 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 11:58 AM | Reply

"The top 1% of Americans pay 40% of all federal income taxes. The top 10% pay 70%"

Let's do the math! You may want to sit this one out, B0-ASS, you fucking imbecile.

Also, Herr B0-ASS, what have the personal income tax rates changed from say, oh, 1980 until today?

In other words, HOW MUCH does the 1% pay NOW, as opposed to 40 years ago? ACTUAL money. Not percentages.

You backwoods idiot.

#4 | Posted by LegallyYourDead at 2026-10-15 12:16 PM | Reply

This is a direct quote from the article: "In 2019, the highest income 1% of Americans paid about 25% of all federal taxes" So not sure where the headline came from. The article does make great points about making sure the IRS has proper funding and how Congress markets tax policy such as calling it a "death tax" instead of "estate tax."

#5 | Posted by rcade at 2026-10-15 12:22 PM | Reply

If I'm paying for your lunch, I might remind of you of that free lunch.

#6 | Posted by eberly at 2026-10-15 12:23 PM | Reply

" I'm paying for your lunch, I might remind of you of that free lunch."

In that case ... you're welcome.

I'm proud to help subsidize your family. Just don't pretend the equation doesn't show childless taxpayers help pay for your kids' upbringing.

#7 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 12:26 PM | Reply

Thanks!!

#8 | Posted by eberly at 2026-10-15 12:28 PM | Reply

So not sure where the headline came from.

I know!

It came from a very dark smelly place in his nether regions.

Where he gets everything he posts here it seems.

Maga is getting desperate and when all else fails.. lie.

Then. Rinse and repeat the lie.

#9 | Posted by donnerboy at 2026-10-15 12:30 PM | Reply

" Still think the rich arent paying their fair share?"

If they're stating they pay all the taxes, and we're running massive deficits ... they're not paying enough.

#10 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 12:36 PM | Reply

If I'm paying for your lunch, I might remind of you of that free lunch.
#6 | Posted by eberly

How's that working for ya.
Did Boaz ever say "Thank you?"

#11 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-10-15 12:37 PM | Reply

every comment here and the next 40 are 100% predictable and Subliberal knew it when he posted this.

Facts aside......does this mean the wealthiest don't pay enough?

one can accept the financial reality yet agree it's still just and even still not enough.

#12 | Posted by eberly at 2026-10-15 12:38 PM | Reply

" Facts aside......does this mean the wealthiest don't pay enough?"

Depends ... Are you claiming you're paying them all, or not?

But anyone who actually believes that, I'm more than willing to loan you money for 25 years at 2%.

Anyone interested? Or would you rather have upfront tax cuts where the money can be assumed to grow 8 to 9% per year?

#13 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 12:41 PM | Reply

"does this mean the wealthiest don't pay enough?"

Unless you're calling Warren Buffett a liar, you already know the answer.

#14 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-10-15 12:46 PM | Reply

As of Q2 2026, the top 1% of households in the United States hold 32.5% of the country's total wealth, according to data from the Federal Reserve.

#15 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-10-15 12:46 PM | Reply

" one can accept the financial reality yet agree it's still just"

Not even close.

Top incomes have spiked, and the marginal rates haven't kept up.

Now, add GRATs, and inheritances at a stepped-up basis.

The tax code has not kept up.

#16 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 12:46 PM | Reply

what about the 40%?

You haven't mentioned payroll taxes like the past 4,000,000,000 times this forum has discussed this issue.

Does the 40% exclude payroll taxes?

#17 | Posted by eberly at 2026-10-15 12:48 PM | Reply

not sure where the headline came from.

Sensationalism

#18 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-10-15 12:54 PM | Reply

Just don't pretend the equation doesn't show childless taxpayers help pay for your kids' upbringing.
#7 | POSTED BY DANFORTH

He loves our taxes. Just not our opinions.

#19 | Posted by ClownShack at 2026-10-15 12:55 PM | Reply

Ah, rwing Tax Foundation article author supports Corporations and Billionaires?

Tell me it ain't so!

Why Critics Call It Right-Wing
Founding and History: Founded in 1937, its early backing included corporate leaders like Alfred P. Sloan of General Motors, and it has historical roots tracing back to New Deal opposition.

Tax Notes
+
Funding Sources: Over the decades, it has received financial support from conservative and libertarian foundations and donors (such as the Koch family foundations, the Bradley Foundation, and the Sarah Scaife Foundation) alongside major corporations

Policy Positions: Its modeling and publications typically favor lower corporate tax rates, oppose progressive wealth or income tax increases, and emphasize supply-side economic theories " positions that frequently align with conservative and free-market economic platforms.

(your friendly neighborhood AI)

MORE Tinkle Down for All!

Perhaps this guys will go to South America with the troops to restart the Chicago Boys Corporate Domination down there.

#20 | Posted by Corky at 2026-10-15 12:56 PM | Reply

" You haven't mentioned payroll taxes"

Because I don't need to; folks like you are doing it for me.

But go ahead: explain to Boaz the actual equation. Let him know the vast majority of workers pay more in payroll taxes over their lifetimes than income taxes. Point out the chasm of value between a 25 yr 2% bond, and upfront cash tax cuts.

Or, you could stay silent and keep letting him get away with it.

Whatever floats your boat.

#21 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 12:57 PM | Reply

-I'm more than willing to loan you money for 25 years at 2%.

I'll take $1M

I'll make 4.5% while paying you 2%.

LOL

#22 | Posted by eberly at 2026-10-15 12:58 PM | Reply

"Still think the rich arent paying their fair share?"

Let's stipulate the rich are indeed paying their fair share.

But, it's undeniably a fact the middle class pays a higher tax rate than the rich.

So are ordinary Americans paying more than their fair share?

Or is it the right thing to do, having the ordinary Americans pay a higher income tax rate than the super rich?

The Forbes 400 Pay Lower Tax Rates Than Many Ordinary Americans
A recent study finds that the Forbes 400 paid an effective tax rate of 8.2 percent over recent years"lower than many middle-class Americans.
www.americanprogress.org

#23 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-10-15 01:00 PM | Reply

" I'll take $1M"

Apologies; I meant I'd TAKE your money for 2%.

Still in?

#24 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 01:01 PM | Reply

-Because I don't need to; folks like you are doing it for me.

But I'm not. I'm asking because to remove payroll taxes always skews the % paid by the wealthiest up significantly.

My guess it doesn't include payroll taxes which represents much if not most what folks who make less than the median line pay in total income taxes.

#25 | Posted by eberly at 2026-10-15 01:01 PM | Reply

" I'm asking because to remove payroll taxes always skews the % paid by the wealthiest up significantly."

Excellent, Sherlock!

Let's have Boaz put up a thread that only counts payroll taxes!

#26 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 01:03 PM | Reply

I get your point.

Not sure anyone else does which is why this argument recurs/cycles constantly.

#27 | Posted by eberly at 2026-10-15 01:03 PM | Reply

"I'm asking because to remove payroll taxes always skews the % paid by the wealthiest up significantly."

Huh?

Payroll taxes are regressive. Including payroll taxes underscores how ordinary Americans pay a higher rate than the super wealthy.

Ordinary Americans pay 6.2% all year long. Super wealthy only pay that for a few hours or days -- above $184,500K their income is payroll-tax-free.

#28 | Posted by snoofy at 2026-10-15 01:06 PM | Reply

"Payroll taxes are regressive. "

Medicare is regressive, but Social Security is actually super-regressive, since it disappears entirely over ~$200,000.

#29 | Posted by Danforth at 2026-10-15 01:10 PM | Reply