Opinion

Six different ways that prove the wealthy pay a lot more than their ‘fair share’

Politicians demand more from the wealthy but never define what 'enough' looks like in real dollars or percentages

By Ted Jenkin Fox News

Published May 11, 2026 5:00am EDT

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If you listen to politicians like Vermont Independent Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York Democrat Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, there’s a constant drumbeat. The rich don’t pay their "fair share." and we don’t need any "oligarchs." These are powerful soundbites. They are also among the most intellectually lazy phrases in modern economics.

Because here’s the real question no one answers: what exactly is "fair?"

Let’s start with the facts which many people don’t like to discuss and not feelings.

According to data from the Internal Revenue Service and the Tax Foundation, the top 1% of earners already pay roughly 40% or more of all federal income taxes. The top 10%? Closer to 70%. Meanwhile, nearly half of Americans pay little to no federal income tax each year.

BILL MAHER CALLS OUT BERNIE SANDERS, SAYS HE'S TIRED OF HEARING THE RICH DON'T PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez addresses a crowd of 36,000 people at the fighting oligarchy rally at Gloria Molina Grand Park in Downtown Los........

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