Biden To Include Minimum Tax On Billionaires In Budget Proposal

WASHINGTON - The White House will ask Congress on Monday to pass a new minimum tax on billionaires as part of a budget proposal intended to revitalize President Joe Biden's domestic agenda and reduce the deficit.

The tax would require that U.S. households worth more than $100 million pay a rate of at least 20 percent on their full income, as well as unrealized gains in the value of their liquid assets, such as stocks and bonds, which can accumulate value for years but are taxed only when they are sold.

Biden's proposal to impose a tax on billionaires is the first time he has called for a type of wealth tax, technically a tax on an individual's untaxed investment gains. While many in his party have advocated taxes that target an individual's wealth - not just income - Biden has largely steered clear of such proposals in favor of increasing the top marginal income tax rate, imposing a higher tax on capital gains and estates, and raising taxes on corporations.

The "Billionaire Minimum Income Tax" would apply only to the top 0.01 percent of U.S. households, and over half of the revenue would come from those worth more than $1 billion. Those already paying more than 20 percent would not owe any additional taxes, although those paying below that level would have to pay the difference between their current tax rate and the new 20 percent rate.

The payments of Biden's minimum tax would also count toward the tax that billionaires would eventually need to pay on unrealized income from assets that are taxed only when they are sold for a profit.