Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Today’s number: $57.5 million

Posted in:

Illinois

* Friday afternoon press release…

Governor Bruce Rauner released his 2014 federal and state 1040’s, reflecting income and tax rates, while detailing the Rauner family’s charitable and community giving last year.

Last year, the Rauners paid more than $18 million in federal and state taxes on income of $58.3 million for a total effective tax rate on income of more than 31%. Their federal effective tax rate on income exceeded 26%.

In addition, the Rauners and their family foundation made charitable contributions totaling more than $3.3 million.

Rauner 2014 Tax Summary:

Income on Federal Return: $58.3 million

Adjusted Gross Income on Federal Return: $57.5 million

Federal Income Taxes Paid: $15.2 million

Federal Effective Tax Rate on Income: 26.1%

Federal Effective Tax Rate on Adjusted Gross Income: 26.4%

Illinois Net Income on State Return: $58.7 million

Illinois Income Taxes Paid: $2.8 million

If you’re keeping track, he paid a 26.4 percent effective federal rate on his income last year. That’s well below the 39.6 percent top federal rate that quite a few folks with much, much smaller incomes pay, but that’s because much of his income is from capital gains.

* Tribune…

Even so, a bare-bones version of such information can be gleaned from the 1040s. It shows, as it has in prior years for Rauner, that the bulk of his income comes from revenue categories that qualify for tax rates discounted well below the 39.6 percent top federal tax bracket for high earners. As such, the $15.2 million in federal taxes paid by Rauner were equivalent to just 26 percent of his income.

More than 60 percent of Rauner’s income — $35.4 million — was listed as coming from capital gains, a preferential tax category on which he would owe a 20 percent rate. At the same time, Rauner reported more than $7.6 million in losses in a different business related income category where the top 39.6 percent tax rate would apply if had reported making money.

He also reported paying $151 in the tax imposed on the self-employed as a substitute for Medicare and Social Security taxes. For most wage earners, those taxes are deducted routinely from their paychecks.

Rauner also released the cover sheets for his Illinois tax return. They showed he paid $2.8 million in state taxes in 2014, the last year for which the flat state income tax rate stood at 5 percent.

The tax returns are here.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:06 am

Comments

To put this in perspective, assuming his income hasn’t dropped significantly, every month Bruce Rauner saves about $58,000 off his state income tax bill due to the lower rate. This is higher than the median family income for a year in Illinois which was about $55,000 in 2014.

Comment by Dance Band on the Titanic Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:21 am
Wow.

He paid enough Illinois taxes to pay for my wife’s entire state office operations.

I am disappointed at what he contributed to charities. He could have - and should have - spent at least double that amount.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:24 am
What did Madigan, Durkin, Cullerton and Radogno make? We should see theirs as well imho.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:27 am
If Rauner makes the same amount as last year he stands to bank about 700K from the tax decrease.

Comment by Person 8 Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:30 am
==state income tax bill due to the lower rate==

Respectfully, don’t forget that the 3.75% rate we now pay is still an increase over the 3.00% we were paying before the ==tax increase==.

The state still has a tax rate 25% higher than it was just recently.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:30 am
Rauner pays more in taxes than many of his economic peers. That has been to his continuing credit.

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:33 am
Charitable donations of a mere 5%. I’m sorry but that’s pathetic. Done purely for symbolism.

Comment by Politix Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:39 am
“That has been to his continuing credit.”

The man deserves credit for obeying the tax laws? So do I. Where do I get my credit?

Comment by perry noya Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:41 am
He takes $1 in salary as governor, right?

Based upon his performance, he owes us 98 cents.

Comment by VanillaMan Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:46 am
Nobody pays 39.6%, because 39.6% is paid on only the amount of income over the 39.6% cutoff ($457k for married filing joint.) Additionally, there are personal exemptions and, at least a standard deduction, that would reduce it further.

Comment by hold on Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:49 am
Hold On - yes, and at times I think the “39.6%” figure is more of a symbolic figure than a legit one.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:55 am
“Well, when my people called their people, someone answered the phone and that WAS a conversation and because it was polite, it qualifies as ‘forward leaning and positive.’l

Comment by Union GOP'er Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:06 am
The problem is Rauner or his earnings, which we presume were legitimate. The problem is that we live in a society, and that includes both political parties, which is deeply resistant to taxing him and his fellow high-earners at a much higher rate than at present.

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:07 am
Sorry, I meant The problem isn’t Rauner or his earnings..

Comment by Cassandra Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:08 am
Obviously, Illinois is a terrible place to do business and people make too much money.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:11 am
Maybe he can pay the lottery winners?

Comment by Precinct Captain Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:12 am
What about the off-shore accounts?

Comment by DuPage Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:15 am
Think about how much more he could make if only Madigan and the politicians he controls would embrace Rauner’s Turnaround Agenda.

Comment by 47th Ward Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:20 am
It is important to note that Bruce Rauner gave more to charity than he paid in state income taxes. This demonstrates his belief that private, voluntary efforts are more effective and meaningful than those through forced taxation.

Comment by Muscular Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:24 am
– voluntary efforts are more effective and meaningful than those through forced taxation.–

Those are words strung together, but what are they supposed to mean?

You are aware, I’m sure, that the biggest “charities” in this state get the great majority of their revenue from government contracts and grants?

It was called privatization, back in the day.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:35 am
I may be totally wrong but my guess is a lot of you on this blog are retired state employees- guess what you pay Zero in Illinois income taxes

Comment by Sue Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:36 am
There is always a misguided desire from democrats to raise the top rate. Would bring in a lot more money to start closing the loopholes both as a state and for federal.

Comment by Very Fed Up Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:45 am
And he still drives a crappy van and wears a 15 dollar watch. Let’s here it for the common man’s governor.

Comment by pool boy Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:46 am
“he owes us 98 cents”

Bravo.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:48 am
I don’t like Rauner.

But, he has paid plenty of taxes at both state and federal level.

At the federal level it is far more troubling that 45% pay no federal income tax to operate our government. This % is extraordinarily high and makes for a dysfunction democracy where far too many have no stake in the taxation process.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:49 am
= This demonstrates his belief that private, voluntary efforts are more effective and meaningful than those through forced taxation.=

Does this means that the State coffers have taken in more revenues overall since the tax rate is lower, due to increases in donations for roads schools and state operations? If so, how much more?

Comment by Flabby Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:56 am
Sue -
Are you suggesting that we tax retirees or that not paying income tax on retirement benefits undermines one’s opinion on tax rates?

Comment by #5 Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:57 am
- @Sue - Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 11:36 am:

I may be totally wrong but my guess is a lot of you on this blog are retired state employees- guess what you pay Zero in Illinois income taxes

I am certain that you GUESS wrong many, many times. Add this to your list.

I paid $3756 in state income tax for 2014 and paid $3733 in 2013. It varies from year to year but that is the general range I have paid in the past.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:01 pm
Please, someone correct me if I’m wrong, but didn’t Rauner make a number of substantial donations to churches or causes backed by some of the more influential African-American ministers shortly before he received endorsements? If I’m remembering correctly, that puts a slightly different spin on the charitable donations number.

Comment by Archiesmom Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:02 pm
“it is far more troubling that 45% pay no federal income tax to operate our government. This % is extraordinarily high”

Compared to what?

The Revenue Act of 1861, signed by President Lincoln, levied the first income tax in the United States. It imposed a 3% flat rate income tax on those with an annual income at or exceeding $800. In 1861, only 3% of the population earned more than $800 per year.

In other words, 97% of Americans paid “no federal income tax to operate our government” but somehow the republic survived that grim “dysfunction democracy”.

– MrJM

http://www.historylink.org/index.cfm?DisplayPage=output.cfm&file_id=9914

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:25 pm
== The problem is that we live in a society, and that includes both political parties, which is deeply resistant to taxing him and his fellow high-earners at a much higher rate than at present. ==

Not only that, we live in a society where a lot of the media, the high-earners themselves, and the we-need-to-lower-taxes hacks try make all the rest of us feel sympathetic to said high earners. Like some psy-ops torture.

Comment by Cheswick Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:27 pm
@dance band:

To put it another way. The Rauners get 56k in Government Entitlements each month. Or welfare.

Your right equal to the average salary of an American.

Yet he is just obsessed with convincing us that we need to earn less money.

Just obsessed.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:27 pm
@Federalist - But are you subtracting “Social Security benefits and certain retirement plan income received” on your IL-1040? That’s the deduction costing the state $2B+ per year in lost revenue.

Comment by nixit71 Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:28 pm
@muscular:

And privatizing the parking meters has been great!

Well if your the CEO of LAZ.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:30 pm
@federalist:

Well one way we could save money is to send gun owners over to Iraq and Syria and eliminate the War Department.

Comment by Jack Stephens Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:33 pm
== it is far more troubling that 45% pay no federal income tax to operate our government. This % is extraordinarily high and makes for a dysfunction democracy where far too many have no stake in the taxation process.==

How about we ensure that only those citizens who earn money get to vote? Even better, lets make sure only landowners can vote. Pesky poor people! always trying to steal our democracies.

I would say the bigger threat is the uncontrolled dark money that flows into our system like the mighty mississip.

Comment by Abe the Babe Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:38 pm
Archiesmom: Bruce Rauner firmly believes in black community empowerment and his charitable donations fully reflect that belief. This includes faith based initiatives and the highly publicized $200,000 donation to a south side credit union who would not accept a million dollar deposit into his account.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:38 pm
Mr. JM -

I love your posts, and you are definitely one of the better (and smarter) commenters on this site.

But are you actually attempting to compare America Version 1861 to America Version 2015? 1861 - when our entire national budget was a whopping $80.2 million dollars?

Just so you don’t think I’m pulling that figure out of backside, here’s the link:

http://www.nps.gov/features/waso/cw150th/reflections/legacy/page2.html

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:47 pm
“Bruce Rauner firmly believes in black community empowerment…”

Uh huh.

Is that why Bruce lives in Winnetka, a village that is 96.29% White and 0.25% African American?

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:49 pm
- Team Sleep - Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 10:24 am:
“I am disappointed at what he contributed to charities. He could have - and should have - spent at least double that amount.”

How dare anyone say how much a person should donate to charitable organizations based on how much a person has… That is not the point, and do you know if part of a persons estate has already been written into an endowment? The answer is no you don’t.

I hate it when a person of status’s tax returns are published.. everyone seems to demonize a person for being successful…
Good for him and I am thankful for what he does donate because he doesn’t have to donate a penny.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:55 pm
Chicago parking meter privatization was crony capitalism. Those that benefited were the Wall Street bank Morgan Stanley and their investors and the law firm of Katten Muchin Rosenman, who negotiated the deal. The firm hired Mayor Daley shortly after leaving office. The local operating company for the parking meters uses the firm of Winston and Strawn, where former Governor Jim Thompson is a partner.

Comment by Muscular Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:56 pm
Team Sleep,

Nope.

I’m saying the argument that Americans who don’t earn enough to pay income taxes are “Lucky Duckies” who are a threat to democracy is unalloyed bull-splat.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:56 pm
And that goes on both sides of the parties

Comment by Allen D Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:56 pm
Allen - perhaps I should have made my point a bit clearer. I understand that people with means don’t HAVE to give. I do, however, believe that they SHOULD give. I’m a Christian. I give what I can to my church and to various organizations. I’m also of the belief that those who have the most should give and help out the most. And, from a purely self-centered perspective, it makes Mr. & Mrs. Rauner look good/better when they dig a bit deeper.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:00 pm
@MRJM

Bruce Rauner owns a home in Chicago that he has lived in for years. He changed his voter registration and domicile for the political campaign.

Comment by Muscular Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:04 pm
Anonymous 5:28 - the fact that your statement sounds like a press release concerns me. Are these beliefs demonstrated by similar donations in non-election years?

Comment by Archiesmom Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:04 pm
“How dare anyone say how much a person should donate to charitable organizations based on how much a person has?”

I feel your outrage, but some dudes’ll dare, e.g. “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” Luke 12-48 https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/Luke%2012:48

I know it’s presumptuous effrontery, but to be fair, He was a real good guy and that seems like a pretty reasonable standard…

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:11 pm
“Bruce Rauner owns a home in Chicago that he has lived in for years.”

Yes and his Montana ranch makes Bruce a cowboy. We know all about Bruce’s many homes.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:14 pm
- Team Sleep - Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:00 pm:
I to tithe 10% of my pay first, and I believe everyone should, but that is another topic not for here. I don’t believe anyone should “to look good or better for doing it” that is the exact opposite of what charity is, what giving is. I do not expect anyone to give a dime, am thankful for when anyone does, but don’t care to know one way or the other if or how much they do, that isn’t the purpose.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:15 pm
=You are aware, I’m sure, that the biggest “charities” in this state get the great majority of their revenue from government contracts and grants?=
Are they really “charities” if they get their money from the government?

Comment by DonaldTrump Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:17 pm
Lot of class envy in these posts.

Comment by DonaldTrump Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:17 pm
- @MisterJayEm - Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:11 pm:

I understand that … I just don’t agree with the accolades or bashing because of it… donations are personally not a circus attraction.

Comment by Allen D Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:18 pm
Why do we care how much he made??? He has a right to make a living.

Comment by Rich N My own Mind Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:22 pm
@ @MisterJayEm - Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:25 pm:

“it is far more troubling that 45% pay no federal income tax to operate our government. This % is extraordinarily high”

Compared to what?

The Revenue Act of 1861, signed by President Lincoln, levied the first income tax in the United States. It imposed a 3% flat rate income tax on those with an annual income at or exceeding $800. In 1861, only 3% of the population earned more than $800 per year.

In other words, 97% of Americans paid “no federal income tax to operate our government” but somehow the republic survived that grim “dysfunction democracy”.

NEWS FLASH! This is the 21st Century and not 1861! Back then no one paid federal income taxes therefore it was not an issue. It takes money to run the federal government and all should help in that process and I don’t just mean token amounts let alone nothing! When too few pay many others do not have a stake in federal funding issues. Just let someone else pay.

If you can not understand that issue nothing I or anyone else can say will change your opinion.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:29 pm
I don’t care how much he makes. I do care that he is using his money to attempt to stab union workers in the back.

Comment by Bruce (No not him) Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:31 pm
- nixit71 - Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 12:28 pm:

@Federalist - But are you subtracting “Social Security benefits and certain retirement plan income received” on your IL-1040? That’s the deduction costing the state $2B+ per year in lost revenue.

I paid what I paid. Sorry you can not understand that basic principle and are using straw man
argument that tries to twist and deflect the issue
That “SUE” made.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:33 pm
===I don’t like Rauner.

But, he has paid plenty of taxes at both state and federal level.

At the federal level it is far more troubling that 45% pay no federal income tax to operate our government. This % is extraordinarily high and makes for a dysfunction democracy where far too many have no stake in the taxation process. ===

We had under 37% voter turnout nationally last November. Under 41% at the state level. If the “untaxed” 45% have too big a voice in our Democracy, perhaps the people with a “financial stake” should actually vote.

Elections have consequences.

Comment by GraduatedCollegeStudent Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:36 pm
@ Bruce (No not him) - Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:31 pm:

“I don’t care how much he makes. I do care that he is using his money to attempt to stab union workers in the back”.

With that I agree!

Comment by Federalist Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:37 pm
Federalist,

1) You said the Lucky Duckies who don’t pay income taxes pose a threat of “dysfunction democracy”. I said they don’t pose such a threat, and provided an example of a time when such Lucky Duckies ran rampant across our wounded republic. And yet we survived. No dysfunction democracy!

It’s not a comparison or an analogy. It is simply a historical refutation of your absurd and unsubstantiated assertion.

2) The “if you can not understand that” zinger works best when it doesn’t follow syntactically challenged sentences like these: “When too few pay many others do not have a stake in federal funding issues. Just let someone else pay.”

Good day to you.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:44 pm
@GraduatedCollegeStudent - Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:36 pm:

===I don’t like Rauner.

“But, he has paid plenty of taxes at both state and federal level.

At the federal level it is far more troubling that 45% pay no federal income tax to operate our government. This % is extraordinarily high and makes for a dysfunction democracy where far too many have no stake in the taxation process. ===

We had under 37% voter turnout nationally last November. Under 41% at the state level. If the “untaxed” 45% have too big a voice in our Democracy, perhaps the people with a “financial stake” should actually vote.

Elections have consequences.”

So any legislation that you do not like you can shut up about it. After all, elections have consequences.

Not really a very good or thoughtful response on your part and just another straw man argument.

Also realize that this issue goes beyond the 45% who pay no federal income tax. 70% of all federal income tax is paid by 10% of households.

GET IT! If you don’t it is because you don’t want to.

P.S How much in federal taxes did you pay last year?

Comment by Federalist Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:45 pm
@- @MisterJayEm -

Always good to have a discussion and good day to you.

Comment by Federalist Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 1:56 pm
So what the guy know’s how to unlock value and pocket the cash, how does that help Illinois portfolio?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 2:08 pm
It was a hoot to see him his govt financed mouthpiece passin’ out the returns …and
the fact he did not take his federal exemptions, but did grab $10,625 from IL…..wonderin’ if he made too much to get any federal exemption
It is also good to see he did not have another “loss” from farmin’ as he did a few years ago. But he did have a “loss” from real estate. We all know how the real estate market sucked in ‘14
BTW any word when the foundation will file their 990?

Comment by Anonin' Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 2:17 pm
Boy, the candy snackers are green with envy today!
Maybe if some of you folks got off your duffs and found some private sector work you would care more about income than 3% COLAs and step increases.

Comment by Don Draper Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Nothing to see here, move along, get in line for the TPP ratification and more Benghazi hearings.

Comment by Dr. X Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 2:35 pm
Hey Anonymous at 12:38, if Rauner truly does believe in black community empowerment, can you explain what policies he has instituted since winning the election that has empowered the black community? Could you also explain how the “emergency” rule change to eligibility for the welfare to work program helps empower the black community? And while he was in the private sector, how many blacks did he hire at GTCR? How many companies did he invest in that were black owned or in the black community? I’ll hang up and wait for your answer.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 2:35 pm
Capital gains and dividends should be taxed the same as regular income (work). All taxing capital gains at lower rates does is reward pre-existing wealth. It’s a great part of the reason that there has been such a growing divide between the classes in recent years. Even Doctors and relatively high earners (who actually work for a salary) pay up to 39.6%. The super-rich (whose wealth derives mainly from stocks and dividends) pay a maximum of 20% on the majority of their income.

Of course regular Joes are paying less than 39.6% but almost everybody outside of minimum wage earners are paying at least 25%. Seems fair doesn’t it?

Comment by CrazyHorse Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 3:03 pm
Every poster on here should detail their income and how much in taxes they paid last year and how much they made in charitable contributions if they want to criticize.

Comment by 4 percent Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 3:03 pm
This makes the child care cuts look especially cruel, when they’re coming from a super-wealthy person who could easily afford to pay a modest amount more in taxes.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 3:14 pm
“He also reported paying $151 in the tax imposed on the self-employed as a substitute for Medicare and Social Security taxes. For most wage earners, those taxes are deducted routinely from their paychecks.”

What is this $151 self-employed tax substitute?

Comment by Enviro Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 3:26 pm
“Every poster on here should detail their income and how much in taxes they paid last year and how much they made in charitable contributions if they want to criticize.”

As soon as my choices slash child care funding and personal allowances for the developmentally disabled, I’ll get right on that.

Until then, apples and oranges.

– MrJM

Comment by @MisterJayEm Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 4:29 pm
MrJM at 4:29 pm-

+1. thank you sir.

Comment by lurky mclurkster Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 4:37 pm
===Boy, the candy snackers…===

What does that mean again?

(- @MisterJayEm -, en Fuego. OW)

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 5:38 pm
– I may be totally wrong.,,–

Sue, without question, nearly always.

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 5:54 pm
For a guy who made his fortune in Illinois, made it so well, in fact, that he pulls down $57M in a year on autopilot….

… can you imagine the mental contortions you must put yourself through to claim publicly, all the time, that the state is a lousy place to do business because regular schmucks make too much money?

Just on a basic, obvious level, if you make $57M in a year some place, isn’t that, by definition, a great place to do business?

Isn’t that why you chose to be and remain there?

Comment by Wordslinger Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 7:34 pm
Enviro, he probably got paid a grand as a board of directors’ stipend or something like that.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 9:34 pm
No wonder the Raun Man and the Rahn Man can cozy up to that

$12,000 bottle of vino….

Comment by Blue dog dem Monday, Oct 19, 15 @ 9:36 pm