Michael Perkins

Data from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Economic Analysis show that in 2009, Americans paid, on average, 9.17% of their personal income in Federal, state and local taxes. This is the lowest share of income paid in taxes since 1950. The 2009 percentage is 21.7% lower than the 2008 percentage, and it is 21.9% lower than the average of 11.75% for all years since 1950. The chart below shows the percentage of income paid in taxes for every year since 1950. Move your cursor over the line to see the exact number for any year.



This analysis is based on data from the National Income and Product Accounts Table 2.1, Personal Income and Its Disposition.

See Also:
The Growth in Federal Spending Since 1940
Denialism