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TomCADem

(17,378 posts)
Tue Sep 18, 2012, 11:23 PM Sep 2012

Fact-checking Romney's "47 percent" comment

Source: CBS News

Much of Romney's statement relies on assumptions about one demographic: The 47 percent of Americans who he says "pay no income tax." So is it true that 47 percent of Americans don't pay income tax? Essentially, yes, according to the the Tax Policy Center, which provides data showing that in 2011, 46.4 percent of American households paid no federal income tax. The same data shows, however, that nearly two-thirds of households that paid no income tax did pay payroll taxes. And most people also pay some combination of state, local, sales, gas and property taxes.

In order to assess whether or not, as Romney claims, these non-income tax payers "will vote for the president no matter what," it's helpful to look at a breakdown of who they are. According to 2011 data from the Tax Policy Center, more than half of the filing units not paying income taxes are those with incomes less than $16,812 per year. Nearly a third - 29.2 percent - of those paying no income taxes are tax filers earning between $16,812 and $33,542, and 12.8 percent are those with incomes between $33,542 and $59,486. In other words, the poor are least likely to pay federal income taxes, but many middle-class families are also exempt. Smaller but significant numbers of the higher-income earners are also exempt: The same data shows that in 2011, 78,000 tax filers with incomes between $211,000 and $533,000 paid no income taxes; 24,000 households with incomes of $533,000 to $2.2 million paid no income taxes, and 3,000 tax filers with incomes above $2.2 million paid no income taxes.

* * *

Moreover, only 18.1 percent of American households paid neither federal income taxes nor payroll taxes in 2011, says the Tax Policy Center. Of that 18.1 percent, 10.3 percent were elderly and 6.9 percent were non-elderly households earning less than $20,000 year, which include low-income families and students. About one in 20 is non-elderly with income over $20,000.

At least one of the demographics that is less likely to pay income taxes (or income and payroll taxes) tends to vote Republican: In 2008, voters 65 and over voted for Republican nominee John McCain over President Obama 53 percent to 45 percent, an eight-point margin. The latest CBS News/New York Times poll also shows Romney winning the support of these voters nationally: 53 percent of voters 65 and older support Romney and 38 percent support Mr. Obama.


Read more: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57515033-503544/fact-checking-romneys-47-percent-comment/



The arrogance and elitism of Romney's comments are almost over shadowed by his ignorance regarding who are his supporters.
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William Seger

(10,742 posts)
1. Problem is, this election has never been about facts
Tue Sep 18, 2012, 11:34 PM
Sep 2012

... which is why Romney and Ryan lie as if it doesn't matter -- it doesn't.

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
2. It's the definition of "income". It's like the Clinton definition of "is".
Tue Sep 18, 2012, 11:48 PM
Sep 2012

They don't consider money you make from your job to be "income",...that's "payroll" which is a burden to REAL "Income Earners", the righteous "Job Creators".

The only reason the number is so high is because companies ditched pensions and offered 401ks which are considered to be "Income" in these people's minds as it's money making money.

Major Nikon

(36,814 posts)
3. They also don't want to talk about total taxation
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 12:00 AM
Sep 2012

Many Americans Willard calls parasites pay a higher tax rate than he does once total income and total taxation are considered. So who is the real parasite?

 

Spitfire of ATJ

(32,723 posts)
4. A lot of people do the 1040EZ and don't take all of the deductions they are allowed.
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 12:46 AM
Sep 2012

A lot of people don't know about things like "Head of Household" and forget about any charitable deductions or mileage, or depreciation, or even deductions for buying energy star appliances.

NONE of those are on the 1040EZ.

Not to mention the FEAR caused by stories of people who have gotten in trouble with the IRS which is portrayed as a heartless bunch of authoritarian bureaucrats looking for an excuse to toss people in jail and take all they have.

BTW: The main source of those stories - H&R Block. Gee, why would they do that?

beac

(9,992 posts)
5. "and 3,000 tax filers with incomes above $2.2 million paid no income taxes."
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 12:48 AM
Sep 2012

Raise your hand if you think Mittens and Queen Ann are part of that three thoursand.


KurtNYC

(14,549 posts)
10. I think Mitt's view on the 47% comes from having a tunnel vision focus on tax cuts for the wealthy
Wed Sep 19, 2012, 08:02 AM
Sep 2012

As the CBS piece points out, within the 47% who don't pay taxes there are racists and bigots, hypocrites, those who hate democrats and those who worship the rich who will vote for Romney "no matter what."

Mitt could go door to door personally insulting people that have Romney Ryan signs on their front lawn and they would still vote for him.

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