Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Posted by: John Campbell at 9:15 AM

According to the Tax Foundation, in 2008, Americans will work 74 days to afford their federal taxes and 39 more days to pay state and local taxes. Meanwhile, buying food requires 35 days of work, clothing 13 days, and housing 60 days.  

Unfortunately, the numbers don’t lie; government in the United States continues to be a fixture in the budget of the American taxpayer.

In 1900, Tax Freedom day was January 22; roughly 5% of a person’s gross income went towards taxes.  Today, the average person will contribute approximately 30% of their gross income towards taxes at the state, federal, and local level.

Today, April 23 is Tax Freedom day.  Americans should take notice.   



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Joe writes: Wednesday, April, 23, 2008 10:14 AM
Excuse me?
I understand the tax freedom concept, but I do not feel particularly free since I am still paying gasoline, sales, and a host of other taxes and fees on everything.
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thinker writes: Wednesday, April, 23, 2008 11:35 AM
another gov lie
The day is closer to Aug/Sept., not April.
Count ALL taxes.
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paddy o'furniture writes: Wednesday, April, 23, 2008 11:58 AM
Congressman Campbell
Tough crowd...!

As your constituent, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for the fine work you are doing for the citizens of your district. I encourage you to continue holding the feet of both houses to the fire, and pray that your efforts will snowball into a movement.

Unfortunately, snowballs have about as much chance in Congress as they do in that other extremely warm place which I won't name, but fight the good fight....!
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steveegg writes: Wednesday, April, 23, 2008 12:21 PM
I wish I could celebrate
However, I'm in Wisconsin, and Tax Freedom Day is a bit later here. Even though income is lower than the national average, which would make the federal bite take less time to heal (dumb idea), the state and local governments take a larger share.

I have to echo paddy; without Congressmen like you and Paul Ryan (my Congressman), the bite would be far worse.
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BornToFarm writes: Wednesday, April, 23, 2008 12:25 PM
Amazing isn't it
Americans will spend 113 days working to pay their federal, state and local taxes...and only 35 days to buy their food.

Yet they complain more when food prices go up than when taxes go up.
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Dread writes: Wednesday, April, 23, 2008 1:01 PM
Hmm...
What Tax Freedom Day was for the Colonials when they decided they'd had enough?

Just curious...
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Dave writes: Wednesday, April, 23, 2008 1:26 PM
Not quite there yet
John I think you are forgetting about property taxes, sales tax, gas tax, user fees, local option taxes, etc. We have quite a ways to go yet. Thinker is right, it will be sometime in July or August.

Dfalk
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FOWG writes: Wednesday, April, 23, 2008 10:37 PM
Good subject
Information of this sort should be spread to every citizen.

Since the definition of slavery is to work for the benfit of another, the Congressman's figures show the people in the land of the free and the home of the brave are one third into slavery.

I think his numbers could be low. He likely gets them from simple division of the adult population into the total budget. The population contains many who do not work or make so little they pay almost no taxes. I think a person making a good salary, say $100-125K pays close to 50% of income in taxes. Buy a car, pay sales tax, pay gas tax, pay tolls to drive it, get an excise tax bill, pay taxes on maintenance and repairs. Buy a house and get rammed each year.
Pay for licenses and permits to ply your trade or seak amusement.

As the old DJ said "The hits keep on coming."
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Harry writes: Thursday, April, 24, 2008 12:19 AM
Too too much Taxes!
Yes Congressman...we have a real REPUBLICAN spending problem. The Bush/Republican flushing of 1-3 TRILLION... of our wasted tax money down the Iraq toilet. And the two biggest Republican tax/deficit spenders in USA history....BUSH AND REAGAN! Please dear Congressman put your money where your mouth is and start voting against further Iraq wasted war spending...then your constituents, like me will really know that you are serious about "wastful governement spending"!! Please no more diversion....we smart people in your district really know where the PORK IS....IT IS IN IRAQ...AND FOR WHAT PRAY TELL....NOTHING!!!

Harry Sauberman
Newport Coast
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About John Campbell

John Campbell is a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and has taken a leadership role in addressing the country's top economic issues. Campbell serves as a member of the Joint Economic Committee, and House Committee on the Budget. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Economics from UCLA and a Master's Degree in Taxation from USC.

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