Comedian Bill Maher expressed his dissatisfaction with California’s hefty tax rates on businesses during his “Club Random” podcast on Monday. He humorously compared the state’s tax system with the practices of drug dealers, saying, “It’s almost impossible to make a business work in California like that.” Maher quipped that the taxes imposed by the state are higher than what drug dealers have asked from him in the past.
“I mean, just the state takes like 40% taxes. When I bought drugs from a skeezy dealer, he didn’t skim 40%,” Maher said in the episode.
Maher shared that even during his own experience selling marijuana, he never took as large a percentage as California does through taxes. He noted, “Like I would buy a pound, which is 16 ounces, and make 17 ounces out of it. That’s not 40%, but the government is worse than the dealer.”
Despite his humorous remarks, Maher seemed to be speaking casually with his 40-percent comment. California imposes one of the highest corporate tax rates in the U.S. at 8.84%, excluding federal taxes, payroll taxes, and other business fees. Jack Whitehall, Maher’s guest on the podcast, commented jokingly that the high taxes in California force business owners to diversify into ventures like gardening businesses and tea rooms.
Maher has previously spoken about high taxation rates. In April, he called out figures such as Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., saying he’s exhausted from claims that the rich don’t contribute their share in taxes. “Last week was tax day… I paid to the government, if you add in state tax, local, sales, property, fees, and Obamacare, probably almost 60% of what I earn. That’s a lot,” Maher said, highlighting the burden he faces.
According to Maher, regular wealthy people pay substantial taxes despite loopholes benefiting the super-rich. He criticized Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., for her “Tax the Rich” dress at the Met Gala, emphasizing that the rich already pay a significant amount in taxes. “I’m all for ending income inequality, but let’s not lie. The rich pay a lot of the taxes,” Maher stated.
Maher’s remarks reflect ongoing debates about taxation and income inequality in the United States, underscoring the growing discussion about reforming the capitalist system.
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