Smart Chart: As Top Tax Rates Dropped, Top Incomes Soared

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This post first appeared at Mother Jones.

We’re still posting a new chart on the current state of income inequality every day over the next week. Yesterday’s looked at how the top 1 percent of Americans have captured half of all income.

Today, let’s talk taxes. In the past few years, we’ve heard a lot about overtaxed “job creators” and freeloading “takers.” But consider this: As the income rates for the wealthiest have plunged, their incomes have shot up.

(Illustrations and infographic design: Mattias Mackler​)

(Illustrations and infographic design: Mattias Mackler​)

Sources: Tax rates: The Tax Foundation; top incomes: Emmanuel Saez and Thomas Piketty (Excel)

Dave Gilson is a senior editor at Mother Jones. Follow him on Twitter: @daudig.
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