Paul Ryan's tax plan collapses the current six income tax brackets into two broader brackets. This would mean lower tax rates for those in the top three brackets who earn the most income, while one bracket near the bottom would also see lower taxes. However, overall tax revenue would decrease significantly since Ryan does not specify which loopholes and exemptions would be closed to offset this loss of revenue. When asked, Ryan did not offer any details on which loopholes would be eliminated. The document argues this plan would slash government revenue and force large spending cuts.

1. Paul Ryan’s tax plan
in 7 simple slides
As passed by the US House of Representatives
Tax Fairness WI -- taxfairnesswi.org

2. These are the US income tax brackets
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Less income More income
Tax Fairness WI -- taxfairnesswi.org

3. Ryan’s budget collapses 6 brackets into 2
(It doesn’t say what $ level the brackets are)
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Less income More income
Tax Fairness WI -- taxfairnesswi.org

4. Compare the two
40%
35% Current brackets
30%
25%
20% Ryan’s brackets
15%
10%
5%
0%
Tax Fairness WI -- taxfairnesswi.org

5. In Ryan’s plan, three brackets at the top pay less; one
near the bottom pays less
40%
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Tax Fairness WI -- taxfairnesswi.org

6. That means much less revenue is
collected, and big breaks for the wealthiest
So he promises to
close loopholes
and exemptions
that mainly the
rich use
Paul Ryan, interviewed by Bob Schieffer of CBS for 60 Minutes, Aug. 12, 2012
“Take away the tax shelters that are uniquely enjoyed by people in
top tax brackets so they can’t shelter as much money from taxation
and so we can lower tax rates for everybody to make America more
competitive.”
Tax Fairness WI -- taxfairnesswi.org

7. But it’s an empty promise:
The Ryan budget eliminates no loopholes
and he won’t offer any details
Question by Brit Hume, Fox News, Aug. 14, 2012:
What loopholes and deductions would be eliminated?
Answer by Paul Ryan:
“That is something we should do in the light of day
through Congress.”
Tax Fairness WI -- taxfairnesswi.org

8. What are we left with?
A budget that slashes revenue, forcing cuts
“Ryan’s
budget, recall, would
raise $2 trillion less in
tax revenue over the
next decade than
President Obama’s
budget. Ryan’s plan
would also spend $5.3
trillion less over that
time.”
Ezra Klein, Washington Post
Aug. Tax Fairness WI -- taxfairnesswi.org
12, 2012