All this is not about how much to tax but how much the government lets you keep. It is clear that in their view all the money belongs to them, and they decide how much you keep. If the idea is to make it "fair" go simply to a flat tax. What you make is the result of your abilities or hard work, you all pay the same % (for the weak in math the more you make the more you pay), no deductions to murk the waters, and no "free money" to anyone.  Problem solved.