Wealthy Americans don't pay enough taxes. Don't you agree? | Your Turn

With the April 15 deadline passed, the pressure of getting your taxes done is officially over (unless you filed for an extension).

Now the question is, how did this tax year treat you? Was it, as President Donald Trump promised, the "biggest tax refund season ever," with a $1,000 average increase in refunds? Or maybe not so much?

For our latest Forum feature, we asked how tax law changes, including tax cuts on tips and overtime, affected you.

Below are some of the responses you gave us. For more opportunities to weigh in at usatoday.com/forum, leave us a voicemail at (202) 655-3923 or drop us a note at [email protected].

Most Americans pay too much in taxes. Billionaires? Not so much.

I did get my taxes filed by April 15. I'm married and filed jointly in the $206,701 to $394,600 tax bracket.

As for whether Americans pay too much in taxes: Mere mortals do. Billionaires not so much. Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act (which made permanent parts of his 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act) did not help me or my taxes this year. And I don't think it was good for the country or taxpayers overall.

I'm retired and on a fixed income. I got $5,000 back last year. I paid in $5,000 this year. If I had gotten a refund, it would have gone to pay my higher fuel, insurance, food and electric bills.

If I could direct how my tax money is spent it wouldn't go to the Department of Defense. How about health care?

— Jeffrey McIntyre, Minnesota

Trump's tax cuts might help – for now

We've already filed (married, jointly) in the $23,851 to $96,950 bracket.

I feel that in this country, the tax burden has shifted to the lower and middle classes, while the rich pay less and less. The wealthy definitely should be paying their far share, not less.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was rigged to show it was helping the middle class in some ways temporarily. But after that, its effects will be much worse.

Our 2025 income tax bill was exactly 0.5% less than 2024, with very similar income. We'll use our refund to pay the property taxes.

What would we like our tax money to go to? We seriously need infrastructure rebuilding and affordable health care for everyone. The back-handed deals being done today must stop – along with illegal deportation.

— Michael Kopansky, New York

Use my taxes to pay down national debt

We got our taxes done by April 15 and filed jointly in the $23,851 to $96,950 bracket.

I do think Americans pay too much in taxes. I feel that way because the tax money is spent unwisely. But I do think the One Big Beautiful Bill Act helped me and helped the country in general. Our tax refund did increase, and we plan to use it on our house and paying credit card bills.

As for my tax money, I'd like it to be directed to reducing the national debt.

— George Woodward, Kentucky

Our tax dollars fund bombing kids while we don't have affordable childcare

I've filed my taxes already. I'm a single filer in the $48,476 to $103,350 bracket.

The average American pays way too much in taxes, while upper middle class or wealthy people receive tax returns and tax breaks. People in poverty cannot get out because they always owe money. At this point, I think most Americans would agree that the wealthiest people in the country are not taxed nearly enough and should be paying more to cover people who work paycheck to paycheck.

Trump's tax changes absolutely did not help me and my taxes. I owed more money than I have in years: $438 to the U.S. Treasury. And my partner owed almost $1,200. This money is going to wars and bombing children, and we don't have affordable health care, childcare or proper infrastructure.

I do not want my tax money to continue to be used for pointless wars. I want my tax money to go to schools, public infrastructure, social programming, feeding and housing people in poverty, and making our communities more accessible and safe.

— Chloe Price, Indiana

Citizens should get the benefits of tax spending

I finished my taxes and filed as a single filer in the $197,301 to $250,525 bracket.

As for whether any groups of Americans should pay more or less taxes, all groups should pay what that group is legally bound to pay. There should be no exceptions for any group.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act helped me significantly. So, yes, it is good for America and taxpayers overall, as it is quite fair.

And, yes, my tax refund increased. I paid less taxes this year because of the OBBBA. I don't have plans to spend it on any specific thing. I will just use it as my other income.

If I could choose where my tax money would go, I would want to ensure that American citizens will benefit from all taxes.

— Peter Foley, California

I could buy a Happy Meal with my tax refund

At of the time that I'm writing this, the morning of April 15, we have not filed our taxes yet. But I'm married and we plan to file jointly in the $96,951 to $206,700 tax bracket.

I don't think Trump's tax changes have helped me or this country, not a single bit. My refund is going to be less this year. I can buy a Happy Meal from McDonald's with my refund.

If I could direct the spending of my tax dollars, I would stop all Immigration and Customs Enforcement funding. National health care should be a priority.

— Brett Callender, Indiana