But, then, the U.S. Treasury accepts donations to the general fund, if you feel your taxes are too low. Your contribution is even tax-deductible.
The drumbeat of "raise millionaire taxes" from the Davos set is mostly about maintaining themselves as the mostly-hereditary global elite and minimizing the rise of newcomers by taxing them enough that they can't rise to the lofty heights.
I think the case for making an award for patriotically contributing the highest taxes is that for the most part paying taxes is done privately and is therefore rewardless for the contributor. And then you (as the contributor) see on the flip side - politicians rewarded for boosting taxes and praised for legally taking from you.
Celebrating tax contributions and rewarding the contributor (on an opt in basis) could be hugely beneficial for certain types of wealthy individuals. Often times wealthy people enjoy being on these lists as it helps their business, PR, etc. - not to mention just plain vanity.
Since its for the most part audit-able, it isn't as easily gamed (unlike net worth) and can't just be empty virtue signalling.
I think it would lead to healthier discourse as the tax contributor would be in a public position to effectively be saying - of all the philanthropic causes I could support, I am purposely choosing to give up that right and instead contribute it via taxes to my country because I believe in its people to vote intelligently and the elected politicians to act in the best interests of those people.
And maybe these are the right people that society should laud?
A bit about the group - Patriotic Millionaires - discussed in the article [1] - and interesting interview with one of founders[2].
[1] https://patrioticmillionaires.org/who-we-are/ - George Zimmer of Men's Wearhouse fame is an advisor.
[2] Millionaire argues for Higher Taxes, Fox Host Throws Temper Tantrum! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agHkrhws5Lo
[3] https://patrioticmillionaires.org/about/ The group is chaired by Morris Pearl, a former Blackrock executive... members include investors and business owners filmmaker Abigail Disney; technologist Steve Silberstein; lawyer Roberta Kaplan; investor Lawrence Benenson of Benenson Capital Partners; textile entrepreneur Great Neck Richman; philanthropist Molly Munger; corrugated cardboard magnate Dennis Mehiel...