There’s a lot of buzz in the news about the proposed surtax on the rich to finance health care. Some of the articles have localized their reports (Analysis: Millionaires tax could take combined Ohio rate to 54%) by quoting the highest federal+state+local marginal tax rate on individuals in their state, but misidentifying what the figure is.

If there’s a word that means “to sensationalize by lying, especially when shielded by a masthead; most frequently used in numerical contexts” I don’t know it, so I’ll coin one: vulpigerate. It’s vulpigeration to leave out the important words highest and marginal.

For the record, the highest marginal combined tax rate varies by state, and for 2009 earnings, it’s typically between 40% and 50% for a single-filer. The proposed surtax is 5.2% on all but (haha) the first $1,000,000 of adjusted gross earnings, and this pushes the maximum marginal rate to between about 45% and 55%. (This is assuming that no changes in federal and state rates are also forthcoming. I apologize for any lack of due diligence. I promise I’m not vulpigerating.)

Short of publishing vulpigeratory headlines and articles, some outlets have decorated their articles with misinformed quotes, or they’ve opened the door to innumerate comments from angryreaders.

For the record, here’s a little spreadsheet that shows the story for New Jersey. (We’re in the top 10 for highest marginal combined tax rate. Yay!)

Have a nice day.