Pay taxes, yes.  FICA (payroll, which is technically an income tax which is, at least in theory, dedicated to specific individual welfare programs), excise taxes (think tires), fuel taxes, import taxes . . . Yes, nearly all of us pay some form of tax to the general government.  But those are not included in the scope of FunnyOne's comment, though one has to give you props for your attempt at deflection from the point being made.  The subject matter is specifically federal taxes levied on income (not including payroll taxes).  Today there are in excess of 40% of working individuals and families who pay no net-income taxes to the general government.  How much in excess of 40% is debatable, that the number exceeds 40% is not.