High Gas Prices

Do you know that the US government gets more of the money from gasoline sales than any of the oil companies? Let me walk you through this:

Exxon's profit margin is 11.23%, so at $3.50/gallon Exxon gets 39 cents, this is after the US government taxed their profits; $29 billion from Exxon alone, 41% of their profits. The US government earned 27 cents per gallon off Exxon

Then there is the federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon. State taxes average 28.6 cents per gallon, so in direct taxes on your gas, 47 cents goes to the government.

Add in the taxes on oil companies and 74 cents goes to the US government versus 39 cents to Exxon, almost double. So who should the "windfall" profit tax be on? The entity that produces and delivers the gas or the one that does nothing at all? Who is really "gouging" you at the pump? This is after the US and State governments have taxed your income, made you pay for a drivers licenses and tabs for your car, among many other things.


****Please note the numbers on Exxon assume that all they do is sell gasoline. I still believe the argument is valid.

Do you know that the US government gets more of the money from gasoline sales than any of the oil companies? Let me walk you through this:

Click to expand...

And the UK Government get even more than the US does.


Paul

Exxon - and other oil companies - existed way before (19th century?)the stratospheric rise in oil prices of late. And presumably they are carrying on in much the same way. Their current profits are not a reflection of improved efficiency, cutting jobs or expenses; it is a result of which they have no control, nor made any contribution to improve (for whom?), ie they have done nothing at all.

The US is running a massive trade and fiscal deficits. How does it pay for it - by reducing taxes? Maybe if you all didn't drive round in souped-up humvees you wouldn't need so much petrol nor have to finace the costs of worn-out roads.

I would rather be taxed at 90% on $100m than 10% on $10m.

Grant.