Hume: Kerrys only paid 12.8% on their taxes last year

Fox News | me

[MikefromOhio]

Brit Hume

The Kerrys paid 12.8% on their taxes last year

The Bushes paid over 30%!!

[jackbill]

Some 527 group needs to do a commercial detailing the tax evasion of the two Johns. Background audio: Edwards saying, "We're working for YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!"

I will be contacting Steven Moore of the Club for Growth.

I would use clips from Kerry's latest TV commercial where he talks about the rich not paying their fair share. Then I'd put out the data - the Kerry's paid 12.8% of their income. Then I'd show two or three middle class families, mention their income and what their percentage was.

It would be a killer ad.

[TexasBud]

Well, I don't see how this helps Bush, It's his tax plan. I wouldn't be pushing this angle. Besides, it's well known that the wealthier you are, the less your taxes because of all the deductions and credits and whatever. Buffett said he paid only 3% in taxes. What I don't understand is why the Bushes paid so much...is it because of their divestiture of certain investments because of his office that they've lost some credits and deductions? I've heard that Kerry's wife gives away tons of $$$ through philanthropic groups she set up; that would decrease the taxes quite a bit. Did they release their entire returns? (I doubt there's anything "wrong" in the last return, since he knew it would be looked at.)

[Dat Mon]

"I would use clips from Kerry's latest TV commercial where he talks about the rich not paying their fair share."

DYN-NO-MITE Idea for an ad. Go for it.

[Oreo Kookey]

Use me. Of course, I'm not exactly what one would call middle class. I paid 10% of my 18,000, only 8,160 of which is taxable. How people can be for this lying creep is beyond me. Totally beyond me.

[Thom Pain]

These cheats are making a sales tax or VAT system (with NO loopholes, depreciation, etc.) look mighty appealing. Just tax on consumption and put the tax lawyers and accountants to work doing something constructive. I've read that the cost of regulatory overhead and tax accounting adds 20-25% to the cost of everything we make. sigh.

[Puppage]

he is using loopholes that the "average joe" cannot use

But, but....he says he's got our back.

[k2blader]

Brit needs to FReep more. :-) This is old news.

[rocklobster11]

Bush pays so much because he is in the highest tax bracket due to his $400K salary. I'm sure his savings is in blind trusts or in cash equivalents due to his need to avoid conflicts of interest. the Kerry's on the other hand have no concern about conflicts of interest.

[ArmyBratCutie]

>I will be contacting Steven Moore of the Club for Growth<

thats who they quoted about the taxes I believe....this group... as releasing the info...

[ArmyBratCutie]

I know

[putupjob]

I am very interested in getting a 12% rate. Where do I sign up?

Can somebody ask Kerry about this? Maybe in a debate?

[Atlas Sneezed]

How about everybody pays 12.8% on everything they earn, and we call it fair?

[EagleUSA]

Yes, but what do the percentages mean?? Much of the Kerry wealth is NOT EARNED...it is static wealth. So you don't pay income taxes on that portion of their holdings...just on what they earn off of their wealth.

I would guess that the Bush's taxation percentage is based on much more earned income than fixed wealth...hence the different percentages.

The percentiles mean little unless you know the other numbers....but we do know that Kerry (courtesy of his married-into wealth) is not applying for welfare assistance.

[eeriegeno]

The Kerrys paid 12.8% on their taxes last year

You think this is outrageous? Wait until he releases his military records that show what his original discharge from the Navy was, before it was sanitized to 'Honorable' in 2001!!!!

[Atlas Sneezed]

"I'm assuming that much of this is due to Tereeeza putting millions of dollars into irrevocable trusts for her kids."

I don't think so. The irrevocable trust is taxed (usually) at it's own tax rate. In some cases, it's taxed at the grantor's tax rate, so I doubt that this is the reason.

It's probably some sweet deal crafted just for them...

[MikefromOhio]

Hume had the earnings numbers, but I didnt get them written down...


it was A LOT HIGHER than what the Bushes made and reported...

[stevefromcalifornia]

Well, at least Kerry doesn't have a greed for oil. Other than for the "family" Suburban, yacht and jet.

[stevefromcalifornia]

This wasn't a tax on wealth, or "static" wealth whatever that is. It's tax on income.

[Poincare]

I paid an overall 34% counting state taxes!

I bet you paid more considering that part of your income went property tax, sales tax, excise tax, phone tax, etc.

[goldstategop]

Of course... and that combined with the Boston Globe's disclosure about Kerry's off-shore capital gains tax dodge, paints a picture of a fellow who uses every legal loophole in the tax code to reduce his effective tax rate. Nothing wrong with it; its all legal. But this is the same guy who's voted as U.S Senator to ban off-shore tax shelters AND raise every one else's taxes. Liveshot's just another typical liberal who lives by the credo there is one set of rules for moi another set of rules for the plebians. Its like every one else is not good enough for a snob like him to have the privilege of paying LOWER taxes.