First, you are quibbling over 3%. Even on the low end before COVID, we're still talking 47% of people.
Second, to my knowledge, those statistics relate to filing and don't include people who may pay X in taxes, but receive X+Y back in other benefits. If you pay $2000 in taxes, but receive $10,000 in benefits, then you are paying net -$8000 into the system.
Second, to my knowledge, those statistics relate to filing and don't include people who may pay X in taxes, but receive X+Y back in other benefits. If you pay $2000 in taxes, but receive $10,000 in benefits, then you are paying net -$8000 into the system.