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Brief

Five Myths About the 47 Percent

William G. Gale, Donald Marron
September 24, 2012
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Abstract

As Mitt Romney recently noted, about 47 percent of U.S. households do not pay federal income taxes. Some see this as evidence of a welfare state run amok. Others think that gimmicks and loopholes let both rich and poor Americans duck their taxes. This commentary corrects some misconceptions about this group, now colloquially called the 47 percent.

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  • William G. Gale
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  • Donald Marron
    Institute Fellow
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