Tax Freedom Day April 18

 

WASHINGTON — Tax Freedom Day arrive April 18, the 108th day of 2013, according to the Tax Foundation’s annual calculation.

Americans work well over three and a half months of the year before they earn enough money to pay this year’s tax obligations at the federal, state and local levels.

Both higher federal taxes and rebounding incomes contribute to this year’s date, which is five days later than in 2012.

To pay for all spending in the current year, the government would need to raise an additional $833 billion in taxes, pushing Tax Freedom Day to May 9.

“This year, Americans will work five days later than in 2012 to pay all of their taxes. The total tax bill at all levels comes to approximately $4.2 trillion, or 29.4 percent of their total income,” said economist William McBride. “That means Americans will pay more in taxes in 2013 than they will spend on food, clothing and housing combined.”

Historically, the date for Tax Freedom Day has fluctuated significantly. The latest-ever nationwide Tax Freedom Day was May 1, 2000 – meaning Americans paid one-third of their total income in taxes. A century earlier, in 1900, Americans paid only 5.9 percent of their income in taxes, meaning Tax Freedom Day came on Jan. 22.

Five major categories of taxes dominate the tax burden. Individual income taxes – including federal, state and local – require 40 days of work. Payroll taxes take another 24 days of work. Sales and excise taxes, mostly state and local, take 15 days to pay off. Property taxes take 12 days, and corporate income taxes take another nine.

The Tax Foundation is a non-partisan research organization that has monitored fiscal policy at the federal, state and local levels since 1937.

 

Dowagiac

Two hospitalized after two-vehicle Howard Township crash

Community News

Rotary president named Paul Harris Fellow

Berrien County

New public administrator appointed in Berrien County

Community News

Niles teen delivers 300+ tree saplings on Earth Day

Local Government

Niles City Council approves Memorial Day Parade

Community News

City council talks PrideFest, approves housing grant

Community News

Dowagiac Middle School to host inaugural Mother’s Day Market, Craft Fair Saturday

Brandywine Education

Michigan Supreme Court hears case at SMC

Community News

Dowagiac first responders, school staff honored for life-saving actions

Community News

2024 Dowagiac Music in The Park lineup, vendors announced

Business

YMCA to open downtown South Bend location

Buchanan

Buchanan City Commission honors retiring public safety director

Letters to the Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Vote ‘yes’ for Brandywine May 7

Dowagiac

SMC, Grand Valley Omni partner to offer Bachelor’s degree options

Buchanan

Group submits signatures to force recall election of Buchanan mayor

Letters to the Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Vote ‘yes’ May 7 for Brandywine Community Schools

Crime/Court

Niles man gets prison time for shooting man in neck

Berrien County

Fernwood Botanical Garden executive director announces retirement

Business

Cassopolis Beer Company to bring brews, pizza to historic building

Cass County

Cass County residents sentenced on drug charges

Community News

Niles student organizes community clean-up day

Community News

Cass County entities collaborate with EGLE to demolish unsafe building in Edwardsburg

Letters to the Editor

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive

Cass County

Undersheriff Roach announces run for Cass County Sheriff