Do you know how much income tax you pay? Whatever the amount it surely feels like too much, right?

And what of this ‘fair share’ nonsense? Just who is paying America’s tax bill?

The latest figures from the IRS (based on data from 2012 tax returns) show that 136 million tax returns were filed. That doesn’t mean 136 million people paid tax – just that they filed returns.

The so-called ‘one-percenters’ took home Adjusted Gross Income (“AGI” or income before deductions) of at least $435,000. They earned about 22% of aggregate income yet paid 38% of the entire American tax bill. Let’s say it again – they received 22% of income but paid 38% of taxes.

The bottom 50% of earners (and this means AGI of only $36,000 or more – doesn’t seem all that high, does it?) took in 11.1% of aggregate income yet paid only 2.78% of taxes. Let’s say that again too – they received 11.1% of income but paid only 2.78% of taxes.

No matter how ‘rich’ or ‘poor’ or ‘middle class’ any of us feel the facts bear out a painful truth. The ‘rich’ pay a disproportionate share of taxes.

For some perspective consider that in 1986 the ‘one-percenters’ reported 11% of all income while paying 26% of the taxes while the lower-earning 50% received 17% of the income while paying 6% of the nation’s tax bill.

It’s been said we should thank our veterans for fighting for our freedom. Maybe we should thank the ‘rich’ instead of demonizing them since they pay our taxes. Blasphemy!