And time to start thinking about who will replace the lost local, state and federal revenue if seniors don’t pay taxes.
Ah, that’s the problem, people don’t think…beyond their own little world and needs. We used to call that selfish.
As long as you live in a society and use and rely on all the services and programs it provides, your obligation to participate financially never ends.
16 states + D.C. offer property tax exemptions for qualifying seniors.
• 18 states offer property tax credits for older homeowners.
• 5 states have property tax freezes for seniors.
• 6 states offer deferral programs (you pay later instead of now).
• Nearly all states have some homestead exemption or credit program that can benefit seniors.
More than 80% of Americans age 75 or older pay no federal income tax.
In 2025 there were 62.7 million Americans age 65 and older.
Americans age 65 and older pay roughly 16-18% of all federal income taxes which equals approximately $500 billion per year.
The age group that pays the most federal income taxes is taxpayers ages 45 to 55, who pay nearly 30% of all federal income taxes. Also the age group trying to deal with college costs and seeking to build their retirement funds. Is this the group who should pay the $500 billion seniors no longer do? Or should it be younger families with children in school and paying their first mortgage?
For the record, I am 83.
QUINNSCOMMENTARY 
we have a progressive income tax system with more holes than Swiss cheese.Most recently, it was Trump who tried to buy seniors votes with the OBBB.
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I think it tried to buy more than seniors votes.
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I share your perspective. Here in South Carolina, numerous politicians (our primary is next Tuesday) are promising to abolish the state income tax and all property taxes. I have not found out how they plan to pay for services – in an era where the Federal Govt seems committed to outsourcing a lot of Federal benefits back to the states. It doesn’t make sense
Smith Smallwood
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Smallwood, your election sounds like ours in Georgia. Candidates are promising to cut property taxes and state income tax. It can’t be done but they say it anyway.
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The reason so many Americans aged 75 and over don’t pay income tax is due to low income. The tax breaks aren’t particularly great. For the record, I’m 80.
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