system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5 - Why don't we tax the same rate across the board? 

I don't make that much money and am probably in that 48% that doesn't actually pay income taxes in the end (because my tax return gives me everything back that I paid - I have 2 dependents and own a house). Anyways, I always wondered why everyone wasn't just taxed at the same rate. I would assume even 3-4% of every ones income would be more than what is paid now. Seems more fair to me. I have no problem paying taxes for the roads I use, the police and fire I depend on and the schools my kids go to. 

So if someone makes 250k a year - they would have to pay 10k (at 4%). If someone makes 10k - they would have to pay $400. 

So, why isn't every single worker taxed at the same rate? Wouldn't it be fairer and bring in more taxes? 


**Edit**: I would like to add that I meant "in total". Instead of money going to social security, income, and capital gains - I mean we ONLY pay a small percent and then it's divy'd up on the IRS's end. 
~and~
Companies as well - why don't they just pay a flat percentage of their profits?
gpt
Our tax rates are designed to reflect disposable income. Disposable income is the income we have left over after purchasing food, rent, education, and other necessities. After spending money on those items, poor people have a much smaller share of their money left over than the rich. That's why we tax them less.