--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The most overwhelming proof that tax…" description: "\"“The most overwhelming proof that tax incentives have a relatively minor effect on individual charity is the tremendous consistency over time of giving..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-s-barry-175017_fairtax-the-truth_the-most-overwhelming-proof-that-tax-inc_2185524.jpg" --- # The most overwhelming proof that tax incentives have a… ![“The most overwhelming proof that tax incentives have a relatively minor effect on individual charity is the tremendous consistency over time of giving as a percentage of income. Although the tax code has changed frequently and dramatically over the past twenty-three years, giving as a share of…” quote by John S. Barry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-s-barry-175017_fairtax-the-truth_the-most-overwhelming-proof-that-tax-inc_2185524.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-s-barry-175017_fairtax-the-truth_the-most-overwhelming-proof-that-tax-inc_2185524.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/667/john-s-barry-175017_fairtax-the-truth_the-most-overwhelming-proof-that-tax-inc_2185524.jpg) > ““The most overwhelming proof that tax incentives have a relatively minor effect on individual charity is the tremendous consistency over time of giving as a percentage of income. Although the tax code has changed frequently and dramatically over the past twenty-three years, giving as a share of personal income has hovered around 1.83 percent. This measure reached as high as 1.95 percent in 1989 and as low as 1.71 percent in 1985. The narrow range has persisted even though the top marginal tax rate has fluctuated in that period from between 28 and 70 percent.”” John S. Barry ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Tax incentives have minimal impact on charitable giving; giving remains steady regardless of tax changes **In simple terms:** Charity rates stay stable despite tax incentive fluctuations Key Takeaway Consider non‑tax motivations for giving Themes philanthropy tax policy economics Mood analytical neutral Type Generosity:1 Tax rate:0 Time:0 Individual Charity:1 Giving Share:1 Tax Incentives:0 Giving Percentage:0 When to use this quote - policy analysis - non‑profit fundraising - personal giving decisions - government budgeting Key Concepts public finance behavioral economics charitable behavior Questions to Reflect On - Why do people give even without tax benefits? - What other incentives drive charitable giving? A Different Perspective Tax policy may still influence high‑income donors ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Generosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) [Tax rate](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tax-rate/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Whoever infringes upon individual 'charity,'" I began, "infringes upon man's nature and scorns his personal dignity. But the organizing of 'social charity' and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/fyodor-dostoyevsky/whoever-infringes-upon-individual-charity-i-began-infringes-upon-man/) [Fyodor Dostoyevsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/fyodor-dostoyevsky/) > [The measure of true giving is to share with someone who has no platform from which to speak and may never benefit us in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-burkett/the-measure-of-true-giving-is-to-share-with-someone-who-has-no/) [Larry Burkett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-burkett/) > [To let them share in the highest offices is to take a risk; inevitably, their unjust standards will cause them to commit injustice, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/aristotle/to-let-them-share-in-the-highest-offices-is-to-take-a-risk-inevitably/) [Aristotle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/aristotle/) > [We expect to adopt tax incentives for businesses that invest in the country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joao-lourenco/we-expect-to-adopt-tax-incentives-for-businesses-that-invest-in-the/) [Joao Lourenco](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joao-lourenco/) > [We continue to see our elected officials working extra hard to create a 'good climate for business' that leads to disinvestment in public infrastructure…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rashida-tlaib/we-continue-to-see-our-elected-officials-working-extra-hard-to-create/) [Rashida Tlaib](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rashida-tlaib/) > [The tax incentives are things the music business can emulate. If I own Yesterday by the Beatles and I go to a bank and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chris-thomas-king/the-tax-incentives-are-things-the-music-business-can-emulate-if-i-own/) Chris Thomas King > [So many American and international producers want to shoot in the U.K. because of our crew base and tax incentives.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-knight/so-many-american-and-international-producers-want-to-shoot-in-the-u-k/) [Steven Knight](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-knight/) > [We can attract new businesses and jobs in fast-growing industries through tax incentives, incubators, zoning tools and CUNY partnerships.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-adams/we-can-attract-new-businesses-and-jobs-in-fast-growing-industries/) [Eric Adams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-adams/) > [Producers shoot movies where the tax incentives are.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-fichtner/producers-shoot-movies-where-the-tax-incentives-are/) [William Fichtner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-fichtner/) > [“The urgency to own stuff and have it now is promulgated by our culture. In the USA, tax incentives for mortgage debt have been…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-c/the-urgency-to-own-stuff-and-have-it-now-is-promulgated-by-our/) [Joe C](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-c/) > [All tax incentives do is make it cheaper to borrow for transportation projects. But you still have to pay that money back.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-lipinski/all-tax-incentives-do-is-make-it-cheaper-to-borrow-for-transportation/) [Dan Lipinski](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-lipinski/) > [Urban America has been redlined. Government has not offered tax incentives for investment, as it has in a dozen foreign markets. Banks have redlined…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-jackson/urban-america-has-been-redlined-government-has-not-offered-tax/) [Jesse Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-jackson/) > [I do believe in tax incentives in order to move the economy forward.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-southerland/i-do-believe-in-tax-incentives-in-order-to-move-the-economy-forward/) [Steve Southerland](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-southerland/) > [We would love to see Canadian federal and provincial governments establish a new business entity class like the CIC or L3C for social enterprises.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/craig-kielburger/we-would-love-to-see-canadian-federal-and-provincial-governments/) [Craig Kielburger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/craig-kielburger/) > [Tax incentives might spur hiring in the short run, but how lasting are those gains if the jobs expire with the tax credits and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/myron-scholes/tax-incentives-might-spur-hiring-in-the-short-run-but-how-lasting-are/) [Myron Scholes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/myron-scholes/) ## More Generosity quotes > [The greatest charity you can contribute to is yourself. Instead of spending a dollar to help feed hungry children, why not spend that dollar…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zach-braff/the-greatest-charity-you-can-contribute-to-is-yourself-instead-of/) [Zach Braff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zach-braff/) > [In this choice of inheritance we have given to our frame of polity the image of a relation in blood; binding up the constitution…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edmund-burke/in-this-choice-of-inheritance-we-have-given-to-our-frame-of-polity/) [Edmund Burke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edmund-burke/) > [I would have none of that rigid circumspect charity which is never done without scrutiny, and which always mistrusts the truth of the necessities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jean-baptiste-massillon/i-would-have-none-of-that-rigid-circumspect-charity-which-is-never/) [Jean Baptiste Massillon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jean-baptiste-massillon/) > [I'm publicist, patron of nine charities, creative director, food consultant, recipe developer - and mum.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-monroe/i-m-publicist-patron-of-nine-charities-creative-director-food/) [Jack Monroe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-monroe/) > [The next time you're looking at a charity, don't ask about the rate of their overhead. Ask about the scale of their dreams.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-next-time-you-re-looking-at-a-charity-don-t-ask-about-the-rate-of/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Businesses acting as businesses, not as charitable donors, are the most powerful force for addressing the pressing issues society face(s)](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tony-elumelu/businesses-acting-as-businesses-not-as-charitable-donors-are-the-most/) Tony Elumelu > [Both fact and logic seem to me to support the view that savings invested in privately owned economic tools of production amount to an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/f-a-harper/both-fact-and-logic-seem-to-me-to-support-the-view-that-savings/) F. A. Harper > [Capitalists have done more good for society through their charitable giving, philanthropy and generosity than all their critics combined.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-cook/capitalists-have-done-more-good-for-society-through-their-charitable/) [James Cook](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-cook/) > [I think more and more people are becoming much more sensitive to what they do with their money when they die, especially if they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/angela-rippon/i-think-more-and-more-people-are-becoming-much-more-sensitive-to-what/) [Angela Rippon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/angela-rippon/) > [Children must early learn the the beauty of generosity. They are taught to give what they prize most, that they may taste the happiness…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/children-must-early-learn-the-the-beauty-of-generosity-they-are/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [(I)f we are going to be kind, let it be out of simple generosity, not because we fear guilt or retribution.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-f-we-are-going-to-be-kind-let-it-be-out-of-simple-generosity-not/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I was always clear that I didn't want to just do pure charity. My thinking was definitely about looking at the levers in society…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rohini-nilekani/i-was-always-clear-that-i-didn-t-want-to-just-do-pure-charity-my/) [Rohini Nilekani](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rohini-nilekani/) > [Love doesnt stake claims. It is free for the giving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/melody-minagar/love-doesnt-stake-claims-it-is-free-for-the-giving/) [Melody Minagar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/melody-minagar/) > [“THE UNFORGIVEN Tell me if you've ever had to deal with these kinds of people: The kind who take and don't give. The kind…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/suzy-kassem/the-unforgiven-tell-me-if-you-ve-ever-had-to-deal-with-these-kinds-of/) [Suzy Kassem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/suzy-kassem/) > [“Secure-attachment 7Rs show more generosity than average. Thus 7R has something to do with generosity—but its effect is entirely context dependent.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-m-sapolsky/secure-attachment-7rs-show-more-generosity-than-average-thus-7r-has/) [Robert M. Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-m-sapolsky/) [Browse all 3,867 Generosity quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/generosity/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“The most overwhelming proof that tax incentives have a relatively minor effect on individual charity is the tremendous consistency over time of giving as a percentage of income. Although the tax code has changed frequently and dramatically over the past twenty-three years, giving as a share of personal income has hovered around 1.83 percent. This measure reached as high as 1.95 percent in 1989 and as low as 1.71 percent in 1985. The narrow range has persisted even though the top marginal tax rate has fluctuated in that period from between 28 and 70 percent.”", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "John S. 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