Self-serving opponents of the estate tax are doing everything they can to confuse people. They give it a bad name, the 'death tax,' and imply that most Americans commonly pay it. In reality the estate tax is a tax on wealth, not death, and affects only the very wealthiest 2 percent of Americans. Poverty, on the other hand, afflicts one out of six American children. For generations, the estate tax has provided he very wealthy with a powerful incentive for charitable giving.
Taxable estates give charities more than twice the amount given by non-taxable estates.
William H. Gates Sr. By being responsible with our budget, we can earn the trust of the American people. They need to review their methodology. Sen. Don Nichols' non-subtle threat to the JCT staff. My budget dedicates enough to fund a new prescription drug benefit for low-income seniors.