United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby called for a nationwide wealth levy and inheritance taxes approaching 100% in an interview published Sunday, October 18, 2026. He said widening inequality threatens American society and argued a state-by-state approach would prompt wealthy residents to move.
Kirby gave the remarks while discussing declining public trust in corporate executives and his own responsibility to address it. He is 59.
“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% at some level. I would pay them.”
He did not name a wealth threshold for the proposed inheritance-tax rate or set a rate for the federal levy. His total compensation for fiscal year 2025 was about $32.3 million.
The federal estate tax reaches only a small share of estates
Kirby’s proposal would go beyond today’s federal estate tax, which applies to taxable estates rather than the value of assets people hold during their lives. In 2026, the basic federal exemption stands at $15 million per individual, and the top marginal rate is 40% on taxable amounts above applicable exemptions.
The estate tax reaches a small slice of estates. Only 0.2% are large enough to face it, and the tax applies to value above the exemption. There is no federal tax on beneficiaries simply for receiving inherited assets.
Five states impose an inheritance tax: Kentucky, Maryland, Nebraska, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Iowa phased out its tax in 2025.
California’s November ballot is testing a one-time version
California voters will decide Proposition 40 on Nov. 3. It would impose a one-time tax of up to 5% on certain taxpayers with more than $1 billion in covered assets. The California Budget and Policy Center estimates the measure would affect roughly 250 billionaires who live in the state.
The state’s voter guide directs 90% of the revenue to health care, with the rest designated for food assistance, education-related programs and administration. Business executives have pushed back, arguing that they would move operations out of California.
The campaign faces a divided electorate. A poll conducted last month by the University of California Berkeley’s Institute of Governmental Studies found 45% support, 42% opposition and 13% undecided. The poll’s support figure was below a majority.
Revenue projections also diverge. A recent National Bureau of Economic Research working paper estimated proceeds of about $30 billion, with a range of $28 billion to $36 billion, well below an earlier estimate of roughly $100 billion. Its researchers said publicly confirmed departures had already removed nearly 30% of the potential tax base.
Separate NBER research by economists Jasper Boll, Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman put potential revenue around $100 billion. They argued that billionaire relocation would have a comparatively limited effect on collections.
Federal lawmakers have offered different rates and thresholds
Sen. Bernie Sanders, an independent from Vermont, and Rep. Ro Khanna, a California Democrat, introduced a bill in March for a 5 percent annual tax on households worth more than $1 billion. An analysis by economists Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zuchman projected about $4.4 trillion in revenue over a decade and said the “typical” billionaire’s wealth would be cut in half after 15 years.
A separate Tax Policy Center analysis last year examined a 1 percent annual tax on assets above $50 million, or $25 million for unmarried filers. It estimated the plan would raise nearly $2 trillion over 10 years.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren, a Democrat, has proposed a 2% annual tax on fortunes above $50 million, rising to 3% for individuals with more than $1 billion. Her office estimates it would bring in $6.2 trillion over a decade. Critics say the tax would be difficult to administer, invite legal challenges and encourage wealthy people to leave the country.
Democrats under President Joe Biden had prepared legislation to tax unrealized gains for people worth at least $1 billion or earning $100 million annually for three consecutive years. Congress did not pass it. After President Trump’s reelection, Republicans enacted the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, making lower marginal rates for high incomes permanent and including other provisions benefiting wealthy Americans.
Landry challenged Kirby as other executives back higher taxes
Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry criticized Kirby on X, pointing to his pay and telling him he could donate money to reduce the national debt. Landry linked to the Bureau of the Fiscal Service, which oversees an account that accepts public donations for that purpose.
“How audacious from a guy that didn't even build @united and makes $32 million a year. If he feels that strongly he could simply cut a check”
Landry added: “Let's see you step up and place your money where your mouth is!” Other prominent business figures have advocated higher taxes on wealthy Americans, including Warren Buffett, Bill Gates and George Soros. Gates wrote in 2020, “We've updated our tax system before to keep up with changing times, and we need to do it again, starting with raising taxes on people like me.”
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff wrote in 2019 that “increasing taxes on high-income individuals like myself would help generate the trillions of dollars that we desperately need to improve education and healthcare and fight climate change.” Facebook co-founder Chris Hughes also backed a moderate wealth tax in 2019.
Kirby defended seat fees and praised the economy
The interview also turned to airline prices. Asked about the cost for passengers without frequent-flier status to avoid middle seats, Kirby defended charging for preferred seating. “There are customers who want to sit in a window seat or a better seat, and that costs money to deliver,” he said.
He added, “We have to charge enough that it covers the cost of flying, and it's expensive to fly airplanes.” Kirby also said the country’s future was “incredibly bright.” United shares rose 0.3% before the bell on Tuesday.
