• Jeff Bezos reportedly stated that the bottom 50% of American workers should pay no federal income taxes, according to people familiar with his recent remarks.
  • The statement marks a significant departure from his previous public positions on tax policy and has sparked debate among policymakers.
  • Critics point to Amazon (AMZN)'s historical tax practices as contradictory to Bezos's suggestion.

In a closed-door meeting with economic advisors last week, Amazon founder Jeff Bezos argued that the bottom half of U.S. workers by income should be exempt from federal income taxes entirely, according to three people with direct knowledge of the conversation. “If you’re not earning enough to save, you shouldn’t be paying the government,” Bezos said, per the attendees. The remark, not previously reported, comes as lawmakers debate extending provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.

Bezos’s suggestion aligns with some progressive proposals, but it stands in sharp contrast to Amazon’s own tax history. The company paid $0 in federal income taxes in 2017 and 2018, drawing widespread criticism. In 2021, Bezos publicly endorsed President Biden’s plan to raise corporate tax rates, even as Amazon lobbied behind the scenes for lower rates. “I’m generally against the idea of a wealth tax, but I think we can afford to pay more,” Bezos said at the time.

The new statement, however, focuses on individual taxation. According to IRS data, the bottom 50% of earners paid about 3% of all federal income taxes in 2021. Bezos’s proposal would eliminate that contribution entirely. Critics were quick to note the apparent inconsistency. “It’s a nice soundbite from a billionaire who’s paid nothing in federal income taxes for years,” said Senator Bernie Sanders in a statement. Sanders, who previously introduced the “Stop BEZOS” Act targeting Amazon’s wages, called for Bezos to “put his money where his mouth is” and support higher taxes on billionaires.

Representatives for Bezos and Amazon did not respond to requests for comment.

Correction: A previous version of this article mischaracterized Bezos’s 2021 statement as supporting a wealth tax. He opposed a wealth tax but supported raising corporate rates.