# United Airlines CEO Calls for Wealth Tax

> United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby urges 100% inheritance tax to tackle wealth inequality.
- Title: United Airlines CEO Calls for Wealth Tax · Kiplinger
- Summary: United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby urges 100% inheritance tax to tackle wealth inequality. United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby advocates for near-100% inheritance…
- Keywords: united airlines, scott kirby, wealth tax, inheritance tax, u.s. wealth gap, top 1 percent, federal estate tax, california proposition 40, colorado amendment 87, washington state tax, United, Airlines
- Source: Kiplinger — https://kiplinger.com/taxes/united-airlines-ceo-calls-for-new-taxes-on-wealth-and-inheritances
- Published: 2026-10-20T15:41:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: united airlines, scott kirby, wealth tax, inheritance tax, u.s. wealth gap, top 1 percent, federal estate tax, california proposition 40, colorado amendment 87, washington state tax
## United Airlines CEO calls for wealth tax
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby urges a national wealth tax and near-100% inheritance tax to address growing wealth inequality.

> Wealth inequality has become a danger to our society, and we need to address that. We should have a national wealth tax — it won't work by state because people will just move. And i think we should have inheritance taxes that get close to 100 percent at some level. I would pay them.
## Wealth gap in U.S. at 30-year high
The top 1% holds nearly 32% of U.S. wealth ($55 trillion) while the bottom 50% holds just 2.5% of total assets.
## Current U.S. tax system
The IRS taxes wages and investment gains but generally doesn't tax accumulated wealth until assets are sold.
## Federal estate tax rules
The federal estate tax tops out at 40% but most estates owe no federal tax due to high exemption levels.
## California's wealth tax proposal
California voters will consider Proposition 40, a one-time tax of up to 5% on billionaire assets held as of January 1, 2026.
## State tax changes
Colorado voters will consider Amendment 87 to replace flat income tax with graduated rates for high earners, while Washington state debates repealing a 9.9% tax on income over $1 million.
## Wealth tax vs inheritance tax
A wealth tax targets current assets while an inheritance tax applies to money received after death.
## Tax implications for families
State taxes could affect inheritance amounts depending on where the person lived and where you reside.
## Kirby's financial status
Kirby reportedly holds over $125 million in assets, making him a potential beneficiary of proposed taxes.
## Political challenges
Passing a national wealth tax faces significant political hurdles in a deeply divided Congress.
## What happens next
California voters will decide on Proposition 40 in November 2026, while federal wealth tax proposals remain unlikely in the near term.
## Key takeaway

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby advocates for near-100% inheritance taxes to address wealth gaps, citing top 1% holding 32% of U.S. wealth.