How Much Does the Average American Pay in Taxes?

[sheikalana]

[WindAtMyBack]

Considering that there are literally thousands of different taxes, this question is impossible to answer.

Even if you only mean federal income tax, the answer is not easy. A huge portion of Americans pay no income tax at all. A person who doesn't work doesn't pay any. A person making minimum wage doesn't pay any.

The highest tax bracket is 37%. Potentially someone could have an effective tax rate close to that, but probably very few do. The effective tax rate is basically the tax after all deductions.

[Dontaaaa]

When you don't know because you don't pay taxes.

Not yet at least.

[sheikalana]

I’m not yet an American citizen.

[jennifer_bloom]

Just guessing I would say $10,000 - $14,000 would be the median payment.

[exitseven]

I think that over 50% of Americans do not pay anything. The rest of us pick up the tab. It is way too much and most of it is wasted.

[DarkWinterNights]

I made a little more last year and ended up owing for the first time. It should have been 23% but it seemed so much higher than that.

[Anonymous]

I pay about 21% federally.

[OddBeMe]

Less than they think.

[Waldoe]

20% is average

[maximumpower]

by state?