
If the United States had implemented a moderate wealth tax in 1982, Jeff Bezos' fortune would be half what it was in 2018 and Bill Gates would be $61 billion less rich, a study published in the Brookings Papers on Economic Activity found. America's inequality problem has become central to the Democratic primary; frontrunner Bernie Sanders lampooned former candidate Pete Buttigieg for accepting donations from billionaires and Mike Bloomberg for being one.
Main Idea: A study found that Jeff Bezos and other top U.S. billionaires would be far less wealthy if the country had started a moderate wealth tax in 1982.
Key Points:
A wealth tax could lower the fortunes of Bezos, Bloomberg, and other billionaires,. Some costs could be passed into prices, wages, or investment if firms react.
No clear positive impact identified.
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Central billionaire whose net worth is compared under the proposed wealth tax.
Major billionaire included in the core ranking and wealth-tax comparison.
Major billionaire included in the core ranking and wealth-tax comparison.
Major billionaire included in the core ranking and wealth-tax comparison.
One of the major billionaires whose estimated fortune under a wealth tax is reported.
Major billionaire included in the core ranking and wealth-tax comparison.
Major billionaire included in the core ranking and wealth-tax comparison.
Named billionaire and company founder identified in the article’s comparison set.
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Major billionaire included in the core ranking and wealth-tax comparison.
Major billionaire included in the core ranking and wealth-tax comparison.