Commonwealth Policy Center

Tax Day is just around the corner, so if you haven’t paid yet, there’s still time. But have you ever thought about how much you pay in taxes? Between local, state, and federal taxes, the average American pays quite a bit. In fact, according to data compiled from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average American will pay nearly $500,000 in taxes during their lifetime. This amounts to 34.49% of their earnings. But it seems like taxes are never enough for the government. The tendency of government is to get involved more and more, and this requires much more of our money. It’s like the leach described in the book of Proverbs: “Give and give” it cries. Some things are never enough, including a government that seeks to tax and spend.