Both things can be true at the same time. Obviously, it's widely reported that the very richest of the rich pay very little tax. But according to table C-1 of

Both things can be true at the same time. Obviously, it's widely reported that the very richest of the rich pay very little tax. But according to table C-1 of [1] the richest 20% of US households have an average income of $418,100 and, after taxes and benefits, contribute $101,300 to the treasury. The middle 20% of households have an income of $86,500 and overall contribute $200 to the treasury. And the poorest 20% of households have an income of $22,500 and receive $26,200 from the treasury. Which makes sense when you think about it - the garbage truck visits the household on $40k just as often as it visits the household on $400k. Taxes are progressive, benefits are (mostly) equal. So even though the richest 0.1% of people might be dodging tax entirely, the richest ~30% are the ones financing the government. [1] https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2024-09/60341-income.pdf https://www.cbo.gov/system/files/2024-09/60341-income.pdf