highest-paid ceos in america, 25 of those highest-paid ceos took home more money last year than their company paid in federal taxes. the 25 ceos averaged, they averaged, $16.7 million while their companies not only paid no taxes, no federal taxes, they actually ended up collecting tax refunds averaging $304 million. ford paid no federal taxes last year and paid its ceo $26 million. verizon paid no federal taxes last year and paid its ceo $18 million. prudential paid no federal taxes and paid its ceo $16 million. ge paid no federal taxes last year and paid its ceo $15 million.