"I suspect the ultra-wealthy are paying a lower percentage of their income in tax NOW, than middle class working stiffs are. "
Effective tax rates are probably around 15-20% for most people. All the tax loopholes and deductions that are currently available complicate the tax code, yet that is what politicians have to do to get idiots like you to accept an essentially flat effective tax rate for all.
"Paris Hilton, and Warren Buffet make most of their income from investments not payroll wages."
True
"Investment income is typically taxes at a lower rate than payroll wage income: "
Totally depends on the income rate.
"Taxes on dividends are never higher than 15% effective rate,"
Incorrect.... dividends are taxed as ordinary income. The dollars earned here are the same as income.
" the effective tax rate on capital gains, is around 20% (I think),"
Correct. If you are referring to LONG term cap gains. They are capped at 20%. Short term cap gains are treated as ordinary income, but have a top rate of 28%.
"and the fed tax on interest income on municipal and state bonds is ZERO."
Depends on the muni bonds in question and is why the alternative minimum tax was implemented in the first place. Munis that are for non-profits or direct government programs are not taxed at the federal level. But these munis offer a lower overall rate of return in exchange. So it is like an indirect tax.
Munis for "for-profit" groups are subject to AMT. If you qualify for AMT you are going to get tagged hard for the income from these bonds. Unfortunately, more middle class families are gettting hit with this tax because once again the idiots in DC had no foresight when AMT was created. They did not adjust the qualifications for inflation.
Clarifications of the above....