45% of Americans pay no federal income tax

Market watch ^

[Java4Jay]

An estimated 45.3% of American households — roughly 77.5 million — will pay no federal individual income tax, according to data for the 2015 tax year from the Tax Policy Center, a nonpartisan Washington-based research group.

[Buckeye McFrog]

This is the tax discussion the GOP should be having with the nation.

Which will almost assuredly result in their defeat. THAT'S the problem.

[Red Badger]

According to plan........................

[Red Badger]

You heartless, racist, capitalist!...............................I agree......................

[CrazyIvan]

“That’s okay. I just paid for half a dozen of them.”

I wrote a check this year that I figure will buy a nice set of 24” rims for the underprivileged.

[USCG SimTech]

When are they going to pay their FAIR SHARE for the protection by our military, for use of the interstate roadways, all federal services they enjoy?

[DakotaGator]

45% of Americans pay no federal income tax

Should be 100%. Federal Income Tax is unconstitutional.

That being said, the 45% non-participation rate shows we are in the "bread & circuses" phase of our decline.

[pgkdan]

And none of them should be eligible to vote IMHO.

[CA Conservative]

Should be 100%. Federal Income Tax is unconstitutional.

This kind of comment just makes conservatives look stupid. The income tax may be immoral, it may be unwise, it may be economically stupid, it may be against the desires of the Founders - but it is not unconstitutional. Why? Because it was added to the Constitution via the method provided by the Founders, the constitutional amendment. We might disagree with it, we might want to repeal it, but please stop saying it is unconstitutional. It is not any more unconstitutional than freedom of religion, freedom of speech, etc. - which were also added to the Constitution via the amendment process.

[IronJack]

I put in an order of a couple of big screen TVs and several pairs of Air Jordans for the underprivileged minorities I'm sponsoring. And one lucky winner will receive a new Escalade!

Brought to you by the Whitey Sweepstakes.

[DoodleDawg]

Trump is talking about taking it up to about 50% while Cruz’s plan will take it below 47% by making income about $36000 for families taxable. So Cruz will put more skin in the game.

[JimRed]

Damn! Makes me feel good knowing that I’m among the “rich”...

So why do I have to budget my beer money?

[Leaning Right]

Pretty close to 47%

Good catch.

[LostInBayport]

I go pick up my taxes from the accountant later today. I’m dragging my feet, wonder why. Perhaps I don’t relish the prospect of my hard-earned dollars being used to recharge umpteen EBT cards and fund umpteen EITC “free money” checks!

[daler]

I was watching my neighbor across the street yesterday prepping his motor home for "vacation" season. Neither he or his wife have held a job since the day they moved in 15 years ago (both are in their 40s and appear healthy).

I wish I could afford a motor home.

I don't see it happening this year, however, after drawing from my dwindling savings to pay this year's tax bill.

And strangely, not a word of thanks from my neighbor, who has a "Bernie" sign in his yard.

[Mad Dawgg]

We are fast approaching a situation where more people are going to be sitting in the wagon then there is people pushing the wagon...

[Little Ray]

More like “Vote for free stuff” and “Eat the rich.”
These are the folks who respond to the politics of envy.

[thoughtomator]

if you ask me, it should be 100%

the income tax is an abomination

[uptowngirl]

This is my brother in law. Self employed, white, early 60’s, and hasn’t filed a tax return in years. Nothing ever happens to him. His wife gets a monthly check for early retirement and she says they take out $100. She figures it’s some kind of penalty for him not filing for years. $100. Big deal. By now he probably owes north of $100,00.

[thoughtomator]

Why should we be forced to pay the feds anything at all? 99% of what they do is either useless or destructive.

[zeugma]

For those of you who might be interested in what you would have paid in 1913 under the original income tax, you might check out this page which I wrote up a few years ago. It contains a link to a PDF of the actual 1913 tax form and instructions. The entire PDF is 4 pages, and that includes the instructions. Some day I'd like to work up a web form that would let you plug in numbers and do the calculations for you.