What this project does
Is the U.S. tax system truly progressive? Federal income tax is designed that way—but when you factor in sales, payroll, and state taxes, the burden looks far more balanced… or even upside down. This project unpacks what really happens once you include all taxes—not just federal income tax, but also payroll taxes, sales taxes, and state and local taxes.
We ask:
Who actually carries the tax burden?
Is the system designed to redistribute or reinforce wealth?
And what would a fair tax system even look like?
We use data visualizations, plain-language breakdowns, and AI-assisted analysis to make the invisible more visible.
Tax Systems Explained
Progressive vs. Regressive vs. Flat
Common misconceptions (e.g., “the rich pay all the taxes”)
Federal Income Tax Reality Check
What the top 1%, 10%, 50% actually pay
Loopholes, deductions, and tax shelters
The Hidden Tax Burden
Payroll taxes (FICA/Medicare)
Sales tax and its regressive impact
State/local taxation differences
Visualizing the System
Chart how the burden shifts across income levels
Comparison to other countries
Reform Ideas + Radical Proposals
Wealth tax?
UBI funded by VAT?
Shifting from income to capital?