Jeff Bezos has called for sweeping tax relief for lower-income Americans, suggesting that millions of people should no longer have to pay federal income tax at all.
Sharing his views on X on Wednesday, the Amazon founder argued that removing income taxes for poorer households could ease financial strain, encourage entrepreneurship and create more economic opportunities across the United States.
Bezos said the American tax structure is already heavily tilted toward higher earners, claiming the wealthiest 1 percent contribute around 40 percent of total taxes while the bottom half of the population accounts for only about 3 percent.
According to him, the system could become even more progressive if low-income citizens were exempted from federal income tax entirely.
Tax debate intensifies in US politics
Bezos’ remarks arrive at a time when taxation has once again become one of the most divisive political issues in the United States.
Several Democratic leaders at both state and national levels have recently pushed for higher taxes on billionaires and wealthy individuals as part of broader efforts to address inequality and fund public programs.
At the same time, Republicans have faced criticism over proposed tax and spending legislation that opponents argue disproportionately benefits affluent households and large corporations.
Social media reacts to Bezos’ proposal
The billionaire’s comments quickly sparked debate online.
Supporters praised the proposal as an unusual acknowledgment from one of the world’s richest people about the economic pressures facing lower and middle-income Americans.
Others, however, questioned whether eliminating taxes for poorer households alone would do enough to address larger issues such as wealth concentration, corporate taxation, and widening economic inequality.
