[VRWCmember]

Warren Buffett, the world's third-richest man, blasted the U.S. tax system earlier this summer because he pays a lower rate of taxes than his secretary. Buffett said, without trying to avoid taxes, he paid 17.7 percent on the $46 million he made in 2006, while his secretary, who made $60,000, was taxed at 30 percent.

Buffett is either lying or he is using statistics to lie.

At $60,000 his secretary would not be even be in the 30% marginal income tax bracket unless she is single with no dependents and neglects to itemize her deductions. Even then it is doubtful she would pay 30% of her NEXT dollar in income taxes let alone 30% of her income. However, if he is so concerned about this, he can restructure his income stream so that more of his income is the form of wage earnings and less is in the form of capital gains and other forms of investment income that are taxed at lower rates. Then he can pay more of his income in taxes.

[cinives]

He is probably lumping FICA in that rate as well.

[GeorgefromGeorgia]

My Wife and I have an income well exceeding $100K, and we have nothing more than a home mortgage deduction along with state taxes (income and property). We pay about 25%.

[PapaBear3625]

At $60,000 his secretary would not be even be in the 30% marginal income tax bracket unless she is single with no dependents and neglects to itemize her deductions.

Or unless she's married and filing jointly with a high earner

[AZLiberty]

To get to 30%, he must be including both the employer and employee contribution to Social Security and Medicare (15+%) as well as state income tax.