This is down from 19.7 percent of income in 1995. The CBO analysis includes the effect of income taxes, Social Security and other social insurance taxes, excise taxes, and corporate income taxes. In the years since 1977 for which CBO data are available, the federal tax burdens imposed on median-income families were lower only in 1983. The Joint Committee analysis includes the effect of income taxes, Social Security and other payroll taxes, and excise taxes, but not corporate income taxes. For families in both income categories, federal tax burdens have declined in recent years.
Families pay state and local taxes as well.
Unfortunately, there are no data that would allow determination of the level or trend in total state and local taxes borne by middle-income families. But data on total state and local taxes as a percentage of the economy suggest these taxes have been stable in recent years. Commerce Department data show that state and local taxes amounted to 10.2 percent of Net National Product in both 1995 and 1998. This year's report contends Americans will work until May 11 to pay their taxes. It calls this figure the taxes that Americans pay on average.