Despite earning $1.6 billion in net income and securing a $10 billion military contract, Palantir Technologies paid $0 in federal income taxes last year. This tax avoidance is attributed to current corporate tax policies, exacerbated by recent tax legislation, which allowed at least 88 other major profitable U.S. companies to also pay no federal income taxes. Palantir’s situation highlights how profitable corporations can leverage tax loopholes, rather than contributing to public funds, even when receiving substantial government contracts for projects like mass surveillance networks.
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A new analysis reveals that 88 of the largest U.S. corporations paid no federal corporate income taxes in 2025, despite earning over $105 billion in pretax income. This trend, exacerbated by recent tax cuts, means these profitable companies would have otherwise contributed approximately $22.1 billion to federal income taxes. The report highlights systemic issues within the corporate tax code, with provisions like accelerated depreciation and various tax credits enabling significant avoidance across diverse industries. While the full extent of corporate tax avoidance remains partially obscured due to non-public tax returns, these findings underscore a substantial reduction in tax contributions from major American businesses.
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It’s a question many of us ponder, especially when looking at our own paychecks and the taxes deducted: You’re paying taxes – why aren’t billionaires? It feels like a fundamental unfairness, a crack in the system that allows some of the wealthiest individuals in the world to seemingly sidestep the same obligations that affect the vast majority of us.
The reasons behind this phenomenon are complex, but a central theme that emerges is that the system itself is designed, or at least heavily influenced, by those with immense wealth. It’s as if the rules of the game have been shaped by the players who stand to benefit most, creating a landscape where loopholes and complex financial strategies become the norm, not the exception, for those at the very top.… Continue reading
Texas State Representative James Talarico is running for U.S. Senate in 2026, challenging traditional views on government spending and corporate responsibility. He argues that significant “welfare” benefits go to corporations and wealthy executives through tax avoidance, reframing the debate on who benefits from public resources. This perspective, informed by his experience as a former teacher, has gained traction, especially among younger voters, and may influence future tax policy. His platform focuses on corporate accountability and applying fairness and personal responsibility to both the wealthy and working people.
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The Trump administration is actively undermining the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (CAMT), a Biden-era measure designed to ensure large, profitable companies pay at least 15% in taxes on their reported profits. This move involves issuing regulatory guidance and proposals that create loopholes, effectively providing hundreds of billions of dollars in tax breaks for businesses and investors. Critics, including members of Congress, have raised concerns that the administration is exceeding its legal authority and allowing corporations to avoid their tax obligations. Specifically, a recent notice increased the safe harbor threshold, potentially exempting companies that should be subject to the CAMT.
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Two primary strategies, “buy-borrow-die” and “buy-hold for decades-sell,” allow the wealthy to avoid paying taxes on investment gains, either entirely or at drastically reduced rates. The “buy-borrow-die” strategy utilizes loans against appreciated assets to avoid income tax until death, while “buy-hold for decades-sell” minimizes the effective tax rate on long-term investments through decades of untaxed compounding. While arguments exist that the wealthy lack the means to pay taxes before selling assets, this is demonstrably false; solutions such as deferring tax payments until sale, with appropriate adjustments for compounding, are readily available. The persistence of these loopholes ultimately stems from political inaction rather than genuine financial constraints.
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US Senate Democrats are demanding that Dr. Mehmet Oz, President Trump’s nominee for a position overseeing Medicare, pay an estimated $400,000 in allegedly avoided taxes. This call for payment highlights a concerning pattern of tax avoidance among high-profile individuals, raising serious questions about accountability and fairness.
The situation underscores a double standard in the tax system. While ordinary citizens face stringent penalties for even minor tax discrepancies, individuals with substantial wealth and influence often appear to evade significant tax liabilities without facing comparable consequences. This discrepancy fuels public distrust and raises serious questions about the equity of the tax system.
The substantial amount of unpaid taxes, allegedly $400,000, is not insignificant.… Continue reading
In 2024, Tesla reported $2.3 billion in U.S. income but paid zero federal income tax, a trend reflecting a three-year total of $10.8 billion in U.S. income taxed at only 0.4%. This remarkably low tax rate resulted from utilizing various tax strategies, including accelerated depreciation, stock option tax breaks, and unspecified U.S. tax credits. Furthermore, the company leveraged net operating losses to offset income, and potential future tax savings are looming with proposed legislation that could provide additional substantial benefits.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood