Hell yeah, then I can retire at 40! (No way, i'd be drunk & dead in a year!).
Cap gains and "the death tax" are the worst. followed by the progressive tax on the sweat of our brow. The more you work, the more you pay. Sure doesn't seem fair.
"The more you work, the more you pay."
I'm on track to retire in 10 years at age 55. Sooner, if at all possible. Grandpa retired at 55, Dad at 53.
How have I done this? By following the Good Example set by my elders who have lived The Good Life. I've always lived below my means, gave 20 years of my youth to the military, invested in a tax-deferred retirement fund since I was 20, watched my tax base like a hawk when I was both single and (currently) married so I'd know how much or how little to earn, and I cut back to part-time as DH's salary kept growing over the past decade and it was actually COSTING us money in taxes for me to work full-time.
I've always had a business on the side for tax deductions, had rental properties in the past that always lost money *wink* and basically stayed under Uncle Sam's radar all these years. DH & I just started another business this past spring, and are on track to sell it within 5 years if it pans out as we've planned. Then it'll be 6 months in Mexico and 6 months in Wisconsin. Or Hawaii. Or Alaska. Or...
It can be done. But if you're already nearing 40 you gotta get busy now, LOL! :)