New York (HedgeCo.Net) – Vinod Gupta, CEO of hedge fund manager Everest LLC, shares his thoughts on U.S. tax rates:

“I agree with President Obama that the rich just aren’t paying their fair share. That is why we have a widening wealth gap. When I sold my business, I paid a tax rate of 15%. I felt guilty because my employees were paying a higher rate on their income than I did.

“Most of the wealthy people pay taxes on their investment income. If they make an investment and hold it even for a year, they only pay 15% taxes on that investment, a ridiculously low rate. Most of us invest money because we stand to make a profit on it. Tax consideration is not a major part of our investment decision.

“Therefore, investment income should be treated as ordinary income and we should pay the same rates on this money as we would our ordinary money. There should be no difference in the tax rate between ordinary income and so-called long-term investment income (one year is hardly long-term anyways). In that case, if the top tax rate is 30%, more income would be generated for the treasury and it would hardly impact our investment decisions. All of the private equity and hedge fund billionaires will pay 30% on their carried income, as well. Right now, they are practically getting away with murder by paying just 15% in taxes.

“I reaffirm my belief that President Obama is right that millionaires are just not paying their fair share of taxes. I don’t believe in a flat tax. I also don’t believe in class warfare by calling it a millionaire’s tax, because after all, they work hard for their money. It’s appropriate not to raise taxes on families earning less than $250,000 a year, but families earning more than this should pay a tax rate of at least 30%, no matter how they earn their money. This allows them to keep two out of every three dollars they earn.”