Overview
- Maher said his combined federal, state, local, sales, property and health-care taxes take nearly 60% of what he earns.
- He pushed back on Sen. Bernie Sanders’ claim that the rich do not pay taxes and distinguished typical high earners from ultra-wealthy people who exploit loopholes.
- Coverage cited IRS–Tax Foundation data showing the top 10% pay about 72% of federal income taxes while the bottom half pay about 3%, a measure of income-tax shares rather than total taxes.
- He questioned why unmet needs persist despite more than $5 trillion in federal receipts and pointed to Remote Area Medical clinics where people wait hours for basic care.
- Finance and conservative outlets amplified his comments and referenced a Cato study that calls the U.S. tax system highly progressive, underscoring an unresolved policy debate with no new changes reported.