<p>The super-rich often get a lot of income from non-wage/salary sources.</p>
<p>For example, [Mitt</a> Romney in 2011](<a href=“http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81535.html]Mitt”>Romney tax returns: Mitt Romney tax return 2011 (download PDF) - POLITICO) had an adjusted gross income of $13,696,951, mainly in capital gains, dividends, and interest. His taxable income after deductions and exemptions was $9,007,709, resulting in a total tax of $1,935,708. This was an effective tax rate of 14.1%, but [he</a> did not claim about $1,750,000 of charitable deductions in order to keep his effective tax rate above the promised 13%](<a href=“http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0912/81528.html]he”>Romney tax returns: Mitt Romney releases 2011 tax returns - POLITICO).</p>
<p>Note that the majority of his adjusted gross income came from capital gains and dividends which are taxed at lower rates than similar amounts of wage/salary income.</p>