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HowMuch Says The Top 50% Pays 10.5% Of Taxes, The Bottom 50% Pays 2.8%

ByMike (Mish) Shedlock
Published 04/10/2017, 01:30 AM
Updated 07/09/2023, 06:31 AM

Those who claim the to 10% don’t pay their fair share of income taxes need to consider the following chart.

High Income Americans Pay The Majority Of Federal Taxes

Allegedly, the top 50% pays 10.5% of the taxes and the bottom 50% pays 2.8% of the taxes. This is mathematical idiocy.

Nonetheless, that chart is making the rounds.

I believe this is what they mean, but I did not verify.

High Income Americans Pay The Majority Of Federal Taxes 2

Cross Check

Percent Taxes Paid

Allowing for a small rounding error, the numbers cross check in two ways, both totalling 100%.

I recall HowMuch (or someone else) approaching me a while back with that or a similar chart. I would not post it because it was mathematically incorrect. Instead, it is now floating around, flaws and all.

Note to HowMuch: Fix your chart because your presentation looks ridiculous.

Nonetheless, the key idea is the top 6% pay 60% of income taxes and the bottom 50% pay 2.8% of income taxes. Is that fair?

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