The book says the bottom half pays more tax than the 400 richest. SaneCite found: counted the standard way, less.
The Triumph of Injustice (2019): tax credits for low earners. 2018 tax rate. One of the problems an AI audit listed; our full note.
2018 tax rate
Bottom half, the book (the credit counted as spending)Bottom half, SaneCite: the credit counted as a tax cut (as CBO and the Treasury do)The 400 richest Americans
The Earned Income Tax Credit lowers the taxes of low earners. Counted as a tax cut, the bottom half’s rate is lower than the 400 richest’s, not higher.
Source: SaneCite check of the AI audit of Saez and Zucman’s research. Details. Data as of 9 Nov 2026.
Source: SaneCite check of the AI audit of Saez and Zucman’s research, data as of 9 Nov 2026 · sanecite.com/charts
Show the numbers
| Bar | Value |
|---|---|
| Bottom half, the book (the credit counted as spending) | 24.2% |
| Bottom half, SaneCite: the credit counted as a tax cut (as CBO and the Treasury do) | 21.0% |
| The 400 richest Americans | 23.0% |
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