Who pays the lowest taxes in the US?

There's a common myth about who pays their fair share, and who doesn't.

You might have heard that the poor in America barely pay any taxes. And if you look at a chart of how much every American pays in income taxes, that seems basically true. But income taxes are just one type of the many taxes we pay. So what happens if we add them all up? A new analysis by the economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman did exactly that. And it shows that the American tax system might not be as "progressive" as many people believe.

[alecgross]

“Anyone who has ever struggled with poverty knows how extremely expensive it is to be poor.” -James baldwin

[PremSteve-ygde]

Having lived in both America and Canada, I've found that I pay roughly the same amount in taxes in both countries. However, in Canada, I receive significantly more benefits and services for my tax dollars. Many Americans harbor a strong disdain for their government and are reluctant to part with their money because they have rarely experienced effective governance.

[Hannahbenowitz]

I've lived in America and Canada. Paid about the same in taxes but get way more for my taxes in Canada. Most Americans hate the government (hate giving them their money even more) because they've never experienced good governance.

[renees]

You touched on this a little but until you actually experience it...

The working poor are often cheated out of fair wages. Between a perpetually lowering purchase power minimum wage and employers not providing benefits the tiny paychecks pay the same utility rates to heat/cool poorly insulated, high priced rentals they will never own. Tiny paychecks mean bills often aren't paid in full on time. Translate that to low credit scores which then make them pay significantly more for many things. In that situation, usery tends to happen when purchasing anything on credit. I'd say the working poor pick up the tab so many employers can be in the upper income tiers.

[firesheep]

Why am I watching this I have a test tomorrow and I am 14 and live in the netherlands

[DeshaunIsAmazing]

It’s almost like it’s expensive to be poor and cheap to be rich.

[Boypogikami]

"Why are these poor people not contributing!!"

Imagine wanting to take people's life savings so that it would be "fair" to the rich...

[Bokkiek]

10% off $10, 000 hurts a lot more than 20% off $1, 000, 000

[hlbwywn]

Only in America can you hear people complaining that those who struggle with basic things such as food or shelter aren't paying their fair share of taxes.

[crashie]

Don’t forget “charities”, like how bezos made his own charity, donated 100 mil to it, took it back because it’s still his money, then got a ton of tax refunds from “donating to charity”

[paigelaw]

This is why living in Washington feels so wrong. Lots of sales tax but no state income tax. Meanwhile, down in Oregon they charge income tax but zero sales tax. Helps balance things out in the right way.

[oscarnieves]

Maybe one day, if I win the lottery and become a multimillionair and own multiple houses, most of which are empty year-round, I too will complain about how unfair the tax system is for the rich and how poor people dont contribute enough

[senorlancho]

I pay the lowest taxes




because I commit tax fraud

[TheOtherOneisBlueMaid]

It feels bad to even accuse poorer people that they’re not paying their fair share when they can’t afford to “share” as much in the first place

[seanfaherty]

There is a difference between total tax paid and tax paid as a percentage of income

[jonrydquist]

Poor people pay a way larger percentage of their income on a loaf of bread.

[Dave_thenerd]

Would love to see a sequel comparing this system to system in Canada, Europe, China and Japan etc.

[Dodge]

Paying the "lowest tax" and paying the lowest "percentage of your income in tax" are two very different things.

[hereticalgames]

Smaller proportion and smaller portion are very very different things.

[tommypowers]

This is a great place to start thinking, but it is oversimplified. Medicare and SS tax are taxes that come with a benefit. That benefit represents a much greater percentage the retirement income for poor and middle class than the rich. There is no mention of earned income credit or welfare benefits on the low end which are actually tax rebates. The rich also have more vehicles to get out of paying taxes. It's the middle class that pay the most taxes when all things are considered.