This stands in stark contrast to 1961, the first year such comparisons were made. While income taxes are the largest single tax in Canada, income taxes by themselves account for less than half of the total tax bill. Taxes on such things as sales, property and motors account for over 63 percent of the total tax bill.
Experts also note that corporate taxes are paid disproportionately by seniors.
Researchers also examined the so-called marriage penalty. In contrast, dual income earners with the same annual income would pay only 16.9 percent of their income as taxes. This result is consistent with other income levels. The study suggests that while fiscal restraint has been a buzzword among Canadian governments, it is clear that taxation is still the most significant economic aspect of a Canadian's life.