Today federal income tax filings under the old tax code are due. It is also a day when you can receive Tax Day freebies from businesses in hopes that you return and spend some of that big refund you're getting on them. And before you start complaining that you pay too much in taxes, just remember during World War II, taxpayers in the highest tax bracket were taxed 91 percent, while those in a lower bracket where taxed 23 percent.
So look on the bright side, next year you'll be filing on a smaller form and the recent tax cuts might be paying you big dividends. As for this year, even though you mailed your tax returns, you may still have to keep working before the day comes when you are actually working to earn money for yourself.
Taxes a heavy burden
According to the Tax Foundation, a DC tax research organization, this year it has been estimated the average taxpayer must work 109 days to pay their full tax bill. This year, Tax Freedom Day will happen on April 19.
The 109 days are broken down as follows:
- 44 days to pay off federal, state, and local individual income taxes.
- 26 days to pay off payroll taxes.
- 15 days to pay off sales and excise taxes.
- seven days to pay off corporate income taxes.
- 11 days to pay off property taxes.
- six days to pay off estate and inheritance taxes, customs duties, and other taxes.
Too many taxes
It has also been found that taxpayers will dish out, once again, more money on taxes this year than they will spend on their own personal living expenses.
But there is great hope that next year taxpayers will see a big difference. Taxpayers are eagerly waiting to take advantage of the new tax law that was passed. The talk on the street is that people with children will have the highest benefits because of the doubling of child tax credits. It is also felt that even with the doubling of standard deductions and lower income tax rates, middle-class seniors and the single young people will still be footing a lot of the tax burden.
Some taxpayers have to work longer
Because each state has different tax policies, some taxpayers have to work shorter or longer times to pay their full tax bill. Therefore, if you are one of the lucky taxpayers that live in a state with low taxes and low income your pay off day is sooner.
Alaska and Louisiana are tied for first place as their date falls on April 4. Oklahoma, Alabama, and Tennessee, all shared the date of April 5. People in states with higher taxes and higher income have to work harder and longer. New York finishes in the last place with the date of May 14. Connecticut, New Jersey, and Washington, DC, are all tied for 48th place with the date of May 3. Illinois came in 47 with the date of April 29. Subscribe to Politics Channel.