A few months ago, I wrote about one of my favorite phrases used by Democratic politicians in Washington, D.C.: “Pay your fair share.” Politicians love saying wealthy Americans aren’t paying enough. The problem is the numbers tell a different story.
The top 1% of taxpayers already pay roughly 40% of federal individual income taxes. The top 10% pay the overwhelming majority of taxes. So, here’s my question.
If that isn’t enough, what exactly is enough?
BILLIONAIRE BEZOS SUGGESTS NO TAXES FOR HALF THE NATION. IS THAT CRAZY OR OVERDUE?
Because the debate isn’t stopping at ordinary income taxes. Soon it will be capital gains taxes, Social Security taxes and then estate taxes. Here are five more ways successful Americans could increasingly find themselves paying even more.
This is the easiest one. Need more money? Raise the top tax bracket.
FORMER WASHINGTON GOVERNOR RIPS HER OWN PARTY FOR PUSHING MILLIONAIRES OUT
But high earners already pay the highest federal marginal income-tax rate, plus state income taxes that can push combined marginal rates significantly higher in places like and New York.
At what percentage does “fair share” officially become fair? The last time the top tax rate was above 39.6% was 40 years ago, when it was 50%. Could it be 50% again? No political candidate will tell you that number.
Here’s another Washington favorite. This one is sneaky and likely the No. 1 tax angle to be attacked if political winds change in the White House. Tax investment gains more like ordinary income.
Sounds simple until you remember where investment capital comes from. People risk money starting companies, funding businesses, buying stocks and investing in real estate because they hope to earn a return.
PROGRESSIVES WANT TO TAX BILLIONAIRES FIRST, AND YOU’RE NEXT ON THE LIST
You can tax that return more heavily. Just don’t pretend people won’t change their behavior when you do that, because they will.
Why wait until somebody earns money? Some politicians want to tax wealth simply because someone owns it. That’s a completely different ballgame.
Imagine worth $100 million but not having $100 million sitting in your checking account. Your business might be worth a fortune on paper while your actual cash is tied up inside the company.
Now Uncle Sam wants a piece before you even sell it. California will tell us the first chapter of this story on the November ballot.
America already has a federal estate tax. For 2026, estates above the federal exemption can face a top estate-tax rate of 40%. Some states can take another bite.
Think about that. You earn the money. You pay income taxes. You invest what’s left.
And when you die, the government may want another piece of what’s still sitting there. Theres a $15-million exemption today, but what if this reverts to 2000 levels, when the number was less th
