I thought only poor people didn't pay taxes?

Another thing that Republicans don't bring up about taxation is that those who are considered so poor they are exempt from federal income tax have other tax burdens: They have to pay sales taxes. If they're lucky enough to own a home they have property taxes. If they're renting they pay their landlords' property taxes. If they own a car they have to pay property taxes on that as well as the taxes on gas that will keep the car running. Etc.

4,000 people... Yup, those 4,000 should definitely be paying taxes. Of course only a lefty would make such a big deal about 4,000 people, exactly 0.0026% of the population, rather than worry about the 47%-51% that don't pay taxes. Don't get me wrong, it's definitely not fair that 3.1 million millionaires in this country are paying taxes while 4,000 skate by, but why aren't you bothered in the slightest by the 70.5 million in this country that aren't paying a dime in federal income taxes? "The president is also claiming that there are BILLIONAIRES here in the US that are paying less than 1% in federal taxes." The president is a liar. Without evidence by a reliable source I'm not about believe the crap that comes out of his mouth. "But, the stat that takes that cake is that a quarter of the millionaires in the US paid less in taxes than people making less than $100,000." That's a bit deceptive since they are treating Social Security as a tax. Most of these millionaires are making money from investments, not wages. Since taxes on investments don't include things like SS and medicare it skews the numbers. Do you think that we should make people pay social security and medicare based on investments? You'd probably say yes, but then you also think we should shaft the people who would pay those taxes since you don't feel they deserve social security.

No, they don't pay 35%. In some instances they pay 49%. What isn't mentioned is that the top 10% of rich Americans pay 70% of all taxes collected. What Obama wants to do is stop that so he can cripple our government even more than he has. Of course, this won't apply to him or members of congress, although they're all very rich. They don't play by the same rules. What happens if he taxes other rich people even more is that he stops them from contributing to the capitalist system. Those people are the ones who hire workers (who need jobs right now, by the way) who build companies (that have been razed and put into government hands now) and make products (that now com from China) that keep our economy going. I shouldn't have answered this because I'm not going to get into a debate about it, but I had to speak up.

For the same reason that many corporate businesses like GE don't get taxed on some of their profits. Most of their money is overseas and stays overseas in a lower tax zone. America can't tax overseas money that stays overseas no matter how much President Obama wants to. Britain tried the whole taxing the "rich" thing. Before you continue on this course, at least wait to see how well it worked for them. Their tax rate is 50% on those who make about $167,000 USD (150,000 BP). http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-14810323

Rich people also pay their tax like the poor people in general, the difference here is that there are many loopholes, provisions, tax break, tax cut and tax credit for the millionaire and billionaire, their accountants can always find a dozen of ways to lower the taxable income of them. That is the reason why they contributed much lower to the overall tax revenue of the government while take up large portion of share in the nation's generated wealth. Poor people don't have accoutant to do their tax and can't find many provision in the tax code to take advantages of congress sworn generosity and admire toward U.S millionaires and billionaires.

So how do they get around this? Loop holes. The republicans have agreed to tie up the loopholes, but are against raising the tax limits, because the tax level increase will not make them pay anymore if it is a tax loop holes. Gdebater, you are smarter than this! If they pay none now, or a low percent, why would they pay more, if the rate was increased? an increase on 0% is still 0%. Also, some have their money stashed in tax free bonds, which can pay 8-12% rate of return. All tax free. These are bonds that regular people do not have access to invest in, but the rich can. These bonds are set up to be tax free which includes municipals, cites and other local government which need bonds to operate. They are tax free to help create the want to invest in them. And the ones who usually invest in them are the government people themselves, who have the first opportunity to get into them, and also, there is a minimum level of investment on them. They are also government back in case the bond issuer goes belly up. The solution is fix tax-loop holes which many congressman help create so they, and their supporters can pay less taxes. Fix the loopholes and lower spending. Let the rich invest their money which create jobs. The rich do not stash the money in bank accounts which pay low interest, they own companies, which hire people. When they make money, they invest it back in companies which "hire people." If I had a million dollars, I would put in a tax free bonds and make about $100,000 and not have to pay any taxes on it. I would be doing great! I looked at Raum Emanual background which says he is highly invested in tax free bonds. i.e. he pays little taxes on his profits!

The US taxation system is said to be horrendously complex,that a lay taxpayer would be getting nowhere fast trying to understand it. Consequently,Using a Tax Lawyer is the way to go.And the more money you have to employ Lawyers on the subject,the better the information and results you're likely to get...and the more loopholes you're likely to find to wiggle through...

Rich people also pay their tax like the poor people in general, the difference here is that there are many loopholes, provisions, tax break, tax cut and tax credit passed by congress over the years specially for the millionaire and billionaire, their accountants can always find a dozen of ways to lower the taxable income of them. That is the reason why they contributed much lower to the overall tax revenue of the government while take up large portion of share in the nation's generated wealth. Poor people don't have accoutant to do their tax and can't find many provision in the tax code to take advantages of congress sworn generosity and admire toward U.S millionaires and billionaires. Having a fair tax system on every income group is considered as waging a class warfare in the mind of many in congress, making a millionaire become billionaire, and billionaire become a trillionaire is regarded as 'Fairness' to both major political parties.

My Mom used to have this saying that went like this, "the richer get richer & the poor get poorer." Rich people can either talk or buy their way out of pretty much anything. Or they have their rich lawyers do it for them. Poor people on the other hand can not afford to NOT pay their taxes. If they dare they are almost immediately caught. I have no problem paying taxes. It's the law & I obey the law, but I think that regardless of how much money you make ALL people, whether you are rich or not should be paying their taxes. End of story.

It really shouldn't be a surprise that there are rich people paying little taxes. Some of the most wealthy corporations tax accountability is pretty questionable. And it's the CEO's of those same companies that make up the rich. That said, this thread should go to show how overly complicated tax laws are. State, federal, income, capitol gains, government bonds, gifts, investments, taxable interest, down to what type of car you buy, everything is taxed at a different rate. Then you have itemizing and then special deductions, like interest on student loans. But in reality it basically comes down to this, only income is really taxable. The money the rich already have isn't. Often times neither is the money they are making from having money. Let's say you already have $10 million and you earn no money. Your tax liability is $0. But let's say you invest most of that capitol in a diversified portfolio. Your investment made roughly 10% half of that was tax free, the other half is taxed at a low rate. So 10% of $10 million is $1,000,000. However because this money was returns on bonds, stocks, dividends, etc. You might only be liable for taxes for $250,000 of the $1 million you made. Then you throw in some deductions, jump threw a few loopholes, and the next thing you know, you're only paying taxes on $100,000. Not bad, now imagine people who are collecting interest on billions through a corporation that's giving them all sorts of perks.