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Brief

The Myth of Income Tax Freeloading

Leonard E. Burman
April 19, 2010
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Abstract

This year's tax season controversy surrounds the Tax Policy Center's estimate that 47% of households do not owe income tax. The estimate has raised concerns about equity (nearly half of families free-riding on the rest of us) and civic responsibility (can democracy work when half of voters get government for free?). It also just ticked off some people who feel they're bearing more than their fair share of the tax burden.

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Federal Budget and Economy Individual Taxes
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Meet the Experts

  • Leonard E. Burman
    Institute Fellow
Brief

Understanding the Maze of Recent Child and Work Incentive Proposals

Elaine Maag, Nikhita Airi
June 1, 2020
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