Tax the rich to spare the rest of us

Dear Editor,

There is one single, fundamental issue underlying the election next week, and many people speak a partial truth about it: Our taxes are too high. Agreed; for most Vermonters, they are.  

But some people’s taxes are too low. The wealthiest among us have not paid their fair share to properly support our society in generations, if ever. Not in Vermont, and not in the U.S.  

According to data from the Vermont Department of Taxes, the number of Vermont income tax filers earning more than $300,000 in 2015 was 3,519, just under 1% of all taxpayers. By 2024, this fortunate group had grown to 9,788, constituting just over 2.5% of taxpayers. In 2015, they collectively paid 6.93% of their income to the state, and in 2024 they paid 6.73%. During that time, their collective income nearly tripled. 

By my calculation, if this wealthiest cohort paid just 2% more, that would be about half what it would take to render taxes on anyone earning under $100,000 unnecessary. If they paid 6.2% more, no one making under $150,000 would need to pay taxes. That’s about 90% of us.

Is anyone proposing to tax the rich so hard they worry about affording heat this winter? Or keeping their cars running? Or even taxing them enough that they might worry about affording a vacation? No, of course not. 

Why, then, is it fair to tax any Vermonters to the point that any of us must have such fears?

Let’s compromise and consider taxing the rich just enough so their increased payments let us lower everyone else’s taxes and relieve everyone of such fears. In the process, we would fund our schools, roads and social services to a level where all Vermonters can start to feel that we live in a healthy state where everyone shares in the work.

We should each pay, within our means, toward the well-being of Vermont and its people. There is obviously a deep unfairness in our system when hardworking people are taxed so hard that it hurts, while wealthy people are not. 

If you want change, don’t get distracted by the implementation details. We will only get the chance for change if we elect people willing to effect change. The wealthy and comfortable buy our land and our houses; they vacation here and, yes, many make tax-deductible contributions to the nonprofits trying to provide a safety net. The wealthy own the TV and radio stations and social media platforms. They fund political parties and pay for political ads that overwhelm our thinking with the drumbeat that we need to cut “our” high taxes and that we must forever keep finding ways to do less with less. 

If you’re eligible to vote but not sure you are registered, call your friendly town clerk and find out. It’s a miracle of Vermont law that you can register and vote even on Election Day — though your hardworking clerk will appreciate you not waiting that long. Don’t miss this chance to change the failing status quo.

Alan Turnbull

Craftsbury, Vt.

Read the story on VTDigger here: Tax the rich to spare the rest of us.