The Indicator from Planet Money · Friday, October 30, 2026
Weyland Wong reported that America's top corporations paid an effective tax rate of 10.4% in 2025, according to data from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy. The group noted this is the lowest rate seen in 40 years of crunching numbers, and that roughly 100 companies—including Disney, Tesla, Southwest Airlines, Kohl's, and Duolingo—paid zero dollars in taxes due to loopholes and tax breaks.
“My indicator is 10.4%. That is the effective tax rate that America's top corporations paid in 2025. This figure comes from a nonpartisan group called the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy.”
“And around 100 of them actually paid zero dollars in taxes. They include Disney, Tesla, Southwest Airlines, Kohl's, oh, and Duolingo.”