Proposed U.S. Tax Hikes in a few charts

Over the past few weeks I've put together a few charts and infographics that are relevant to current tax discussions in the U.S. A day after the proposed millionaires tax was announced, critics have already cast doubts on its central premise: that millionaires pay taxes at a lower rate than middle class families. I created these charts to help me place the proposals in (historical) context and hopefully it will be of value to others.

[Unfortunately you have to follow the links to the charts which I've created on another site.]

Historical values of Federal Income & Capital Gains Tax Rates: When viewed in historical context, a return to Clinton era marginal rates for the top bracket doesn't seem extreme. And as the Economist points out, taxing capital gains & dividends as ordinary income might be the more efficient & progressive mechanism.

Concentration of Wealth: The phrase class warfare is routinely used by opponents of tax increases on the wealthy. A quick glance at data from Piketty and Saenz shows that inequality is a real and growing problem.

Income Distributions by Ethnicity and Gender: The 2010 Census Survey revealed poverty rates have soared in most U.S. states. In a series of two inforgraphics you can see that the poverty rate varies widely by income & gender.

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