[2banana]

I'm upper middle class, and my annual taxes, total, are rounded off at 18% of my income. (Actual figures from '06)

You have no idea what you are saying. But if you believe that most of us here are ignorant and illogical that's your problem.

At least make your illustrations a bit more honest and less emotionally extreme.

Well, I am going to throw the BullSh@t flag on that. AMT for "upper middle class" is going to cost you 31% in Federal Tax. Social Security is approx 7.5% (or 15% if you are self employed). Add in state and local income taxes (in NYC that would be 6% and 3.5% respectively). Add in real estate taxes (easily up to $20,000 a year for many NE and CA cities).

And I have not even addes in gas tax, sales tax, phone tax, transfer taxes, etc.

I can get to 50% in total taxes without breaking a sweat

[stockstrader]

You forgot Medicare taxes.

[RobRoy]

>>I can get to 50% in total taxes without breaking a sweat<<

Likewise.

What's even funnier is people paying $1,500 a month (or more) in mortgage interest so they can get the deduction and "save" $200 in taxes. ;)

[razorback-bert]

Let us not forget hotel taxes, tobacco, alcohol, rental cars, airline and airport and a hundred similar special taxes.

[Doe Eyes]

AMT for "upper middle class" is going to cost you 31% in Federal Tax.

At what income level does this kick in?

I just check my taxes for 2006 and the AMT worked out to just less than 16%.