There are usually local taxes as well, so the sum of federal, state, and local taxes varies by location.

Which is why your and the governments $250k number fails.

Is that a joke? $250 might get you a 900 sq ft apt

Depends on your definition of "quality of life".

BS. Everybody should pay a percentage of their income. If you 10k a year and if you make 500k a year, you should pay a percent.

Never said I thought it was a reasonable number. It's just the number everyone talks about and the government seems to have fixated upon.

Okay then, maybe a decent living. You aren't hurting for the essentials in any case.

I agree.

Based on what you said above, you can get an apartment that is 180 sq. ft. on $50k per year in Manhattan. In Montana, that's a 1,200 sq. ft. apartment most places, a decent vacation and plenty of recreation. Anyway, whatever monetary concerns your "quality of life" entails can probably be met here with $50k per year (unless you need a Lamborghini and a second home in Aspen).

First, my thoughts can't be bullshit. They are my own and you have no way to verify them. I'm playing with an imaginary scheme here. If you don't like it, I don't care--I'm not emotionally invested.

Second, I think it would be awesome if we had a little earth in a bubble where we could accurately run simulations with variables like this changed. Eventually, we may get there.

So you think it's a good idea for it to be a fixed percent across the board?

If I'm earning at less than half the poverty line I should pay the same, let's say, 10% as the guy making $500k per year?

In the extreme example, you could drop my tax completely and just up the $500k person's rate by .000002%. That extra thousand dollars might make an enormous difference in my life. The rich guy isn't going to be impacted much at all.

I think the tax percentage should be based on current income in relation to other incomes in your area and the potential to make more money in the prevailing economic conditions.

I'm a software developer so these little complex thought experiments are fun for me :P

Yea, same on my end.

Don't count on it.

Yes.

Yes.

To bad, it makes you invested.

So it should change as economic conditions change? Haaaaaaaaaaa......

I am not, and they are equally entertaining to me.... :D

Also makes the rich guy not particularly invested. Certainly far less than the poor guy.

I don't necessarily have a problem with the idea that everyone should pay something, but that's not mutually exclusive to the idea of a progressive taxation scale either.

I can't support the notion of progressive taxation. It would be smarter to flatten it out and remove the deductions that most really rich people get to takes. What ever "rich" is....

With a system sufficiently simple we could get rid of the IRS, and outsource to commercial collections agencies.

Good idea, then the trashman could break some fingers and kneecaps on his regular route. The trashman knows your standard of living better than most. Save fuel, very efficient, green solution.;)