2009 Federal Revenue and Spending Book of Charts

The Top 10 Percent of Income Earners Paid 71 Percent of Federal Income Tax

The U.S. tax system is highly progressive. The top 1 percent of income earners paid 40 percent of all federal income taxes in 2006, while the bottom 50 percent paid 3 percent. Further, 32 percent of all tax returns with positive adjusted gross income, 43 million total, filed in 2006 were from people who paid no federal income tax at all.



 
 

Key Research:
Taxes and Tax Rates

The Clinton Administration Oversaw the Highest Increase in Taxes per Household
The Clinton Administration Oversaw the Highest Increase in Taxes per Household


Corporate Income Tax Receipts Stay Constant Even as Tax Rates Decline
Corporate Income Tax Receipts Stay Constant Even as Tax Rates Decline


Corporate Income Tax Cuts Boost Federal Revenues
Corporate Income Tax Cuts Boost Federal Revenues


Current Tax Receipts Below Historical Average
Current Tax Receipts Below Historical Average


Federal Government Revenues Have More Than Tripled Since 1965



Income Tax Receipts Stay Constant Even as Tax Rates Decline
Income Tax Receipts Stay Constant Even as Tax Rates Decline


Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey Have the Highest Percentage of Taxpayers Paying the Alternative Minimum Tax
Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey Have the Highest Percentage of Taxpayers Paying the Alternative Minimum Tax


A Breakdown of Federal Revenue Sources
A Breakdown of Federal Revenue Sources


Taxes per Household Have Risen Dramatically
Taxes per Household Have Risen Dramatically


The Top 10 Percent of Income Earners Paid 71 Percent of Federal Income Tax



Total Tax Burden Is Rising to Highest Level in History
Total Tax Burden Rising To Highest Level in History