Federal rate 35%
FICA (above $250K) is 1.45% or 2.9% (if self-employed)
(2 New Tax in HCR law) add another 1% on salary.
Add an additional 3.8% on non-salary income.
The phaseouts for itemized deductions and personal exemptions were good for another 3% or so. Let's be conservative and say 2%.
We're now around 40% or so (and a little higher if self-employed).
Now look at the chart of state income taxes:
http://www.taxfoundation.org/taxdata/show/228.html
Quite a few states have a high enough marginal rate to put you at 50% or higher. (E.g., see HI, NY and CA)
Then, click on the link at the top of that chart for local taxes. Many of those people subject to local income taxes, in addition to their state income tax, are easily over 50%.
Fern