Bezos Proposes 0% Federal Income Tax for Bottom 50% as U.S. Debt Nears $40 Trillion
Updated
Updated · Fox News · May 28
Bezos Proposes 0% Federal Income Tax for Bottom 50% as U.S. Debt Nears $40 Trillion
6 articles · Updated · Fox News · May 28
Jeff Bezos argued the bottom 50% of American earners should pay zero federal income tax, framing it as relief for households squeezed by housing, food, insurance and college costs.
The case rests on a narrow revenue tradeoff: that group already pays about 3% of federal income taxes after deductions and credits, so supporters cast the idea as a limited fiscal hit but a major boost to take-home pay.
The proposal also sharpens the funding problem for Washington, because exempting half of earners would leave higher taxes, deep spending cuts or more borrowing as the main options.
U.S. debt already exceeds $39 trillion and is projected to top $40 trillion this year, with interest now the federal budget's third-largest line item.
The debate points to a broader shift in tax politics as AI and automation threaten jobs and make consumption-based taxes such as a VAT or national sales tax more attractive.
With national debt soaring past $39 trillion, can any tax cut be sustainable without fundamental spending reform?
As AI erodes the labor tax base, how can America fund its future without taxing human work?