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stupid question, in table http://si.wsj.net/public/resources/images/BF-AJ529A_11txr_16... it states that the share of income tax paid by the bottom 20% is "-2.2%" - how do these people pay a negative tax rate?

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). It's an example of a negative tax rate.

It's not actually a stupid question. It's actually nice to never have been in a position to find out (you have to work but make very little money).