Comedian Bill Maher publicly criticized California's high tax rates on businesses during his 'Club Random' podcast on Monday, comparing the state's tax burden to that of a 'skeezy' drug dealer and claiming that the state takes a larger cut than illicit dealers he encountered in the past [1]. Maher stated, 'just the state takes like 40% taxes,' and joked that even when he sold marijuana, he never took as big a cut as California does through taxes [1].
While Maher's 40% figure appeared to be a casual remark, the article clarifies that California's corporate tax rate for most businesses is 8.84 percent, not including the federal rate of 21 percent for class C corporations, as well as additional payroll taxes and fees [1]. Maher further commented that, when combining state, local, sales, property, fees, and Obamacare taxes, he paid 'probably almost 60% of what I earn' to the government, expressing frustration at claims that the rich do not pay their fair share [1].
Maher's guest, Jack Whitehall, humorously noted that California's steep taxes force business owners to diversify into other ventures to stay afloat [1]. Maher also referenced previous criticisms of political figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez regarding their stances on taxing the wealthy, emphasizing that 'the rich pay a lot of the taxes' and calling for honesty in the debate over income inequality and tax policy [1].
No direct market reaction or analyst opinions were provided in the article. However, the discussion highlights ongoing concerns among high-income earners and business owners regarding California's tax environment and its potential impact on business viability [1].
CONCLUSION
Bill Maher's remarks underscore persistent criticism of California's high tax rates and their perceived impact on business owners and wealthy individuals. While the article does not provide specific market reactions, the comments reflect broader debates about tax policy and business climate in the state.