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![tax wedge US tax burden on labor payroll tax burden an average wage worker with no children tax burden](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bunn_6-14-22_1-300x212.png)
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Sources of Personal Income, Tax Year 2019
Reviewing reported income helps to understand the composition of the federal government’s revenue base and how Americans earn their taxable income. The individual income tax, the federal government’s largest source of revenue, is largely a tax on labor.
10 min read![tax wedge US tax burden on labor payroll tax burden an average wage worker with no children tax burden](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/Bunn_6-14-22_1-300x212.png)
The U.S. Tax Burden on Labor, 2022
Although the U.S. has a progressive tax system and a relatively low tax burden compared to the OECD average, average-wage workers still pay nearly 30 percent of their wages in taxes.
4 min read![Individual income taxes are the most important revenue source for the US Sources of US tax revenue by tax type 2022](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Individual-income-taxes-are-the-most-important-revenue-source-for-the-US-Sources-of-US-tax-revenue-by-tax-type-2022-300x212.png)
Sources of U.S. Tax Revenue by Tax Type, 2022 Update
Compared to other industrialized countries, the United States relies more on individual income taxes and property taxes and less on consumption taxes.
4 min read![Church taxes, tax churches, what if we taxed churches? #Taxthechurches, tax treatment of churches in the US. If taxes paid taxes, taxing churches](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Church-taxes-tax-churches-what-if-we-taxed-churches-Taxthechurches-tax-treatment-of-churches-in-the-US.-If-taxes-paid-taxes-300x200.jpg)
What If We Taxed Churches?
Whether spurred by a belief that government is improperly favoring religious institutions, an antipathy to wealthy celebrity pastors, or a hope that taxing houses of worship could bring down personal tax bills, the taxation of religious bodies is hotly debated online, but barely on the radar of actual elected officials. But is that true? How much, if any, tax revenue is forgone, and what do the policies look like?
7 min read![Asian pacific countries revenue loss. Tax revenue Africa. Tax revenue Asia. Tax revenue Latin America. 2021](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Tokyo-olympics-tax-revenue-Asian-pacific-countries-revenue-loss.-Tax-revenue-Africa.-Tax-revenue-Asia.-Tax-revenue-Latin-America.-2021-300x225.jpg)
Asian and Pacific Countries Faced Revenue Loss Prior to COVID-19 Outbreak
As economies are starting to recover and growth is expected to rebound in the region during 2021, Asian and Pacific countries should start exploring changes to their fiscal tax policies while carefully evaluating the optimal time for eliminating fiscal stimulus and temporary tax relief.
4 min read![wealthy inequality, pensions and social security, new research from federal reserve bank of boston Massachusetts ban on flavored cigarettes, Massachusetts ban on flavored tobacco](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Boston-Massachusetts-linkedin-shared-link-300x157.jpeg)
New Research Suggests Estimates of Wealth Inequality Likely Overstated
New research from Federal Reserve Bank of Boston economists suggests wealth inequality has grown less than previously estimated and that shares of wealth held by top earners drops significantly when accounting for sources of lower- and middle-class wealth that are often overlooked.
2 min read![How Does Your State Treat Social Security Income Does Your State Tax Social Security Benefits Compare States that tax Social Security benefits](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/How-Does-Your-State-Treat-Social-Security-Income-Does-Your-State-Tax-Social-Security-Benefits-Compare-States-that-tax-Social-Security-benefits1-300x274.png)
How Does Your State Treat Social Security Income?
Thirteen states tax Social Security benefits, a matter of significant interest to retirees. Each of these states has its own approach to determining what share of benefits is subject to tax, though these provisions can be grouped together into a few broad categories.
4 min read![Spain Recovery Plan Tax Hikes 2020 Spanish Regional Tax Competitiveness Index, Spain economic recovery, Spain recovery budget, Spain recovery plan](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/barcelona-spain-300x225.jpg)
More Tax Hikes Than Investment Projects?
Tax hikes implemented in the near term might undermine Spain’s economic recovery. Spain should focus on implementing tax reforms that have the potential to stimulate economic recovery by supporting private investment and employment while increasing its internal and international tax competitiveness.
5 min read![Reliance on social insurance taxes in Europe. Reliance on social insurance tax revenue in Europe 2021](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Reliance-on-Social-Insurance-Taxes-in-Europe.-Reliance-on-social-insurance-tax-revenue-in-Europe-300x285.png)
Reliance on Social Insurance Tax Revenue in Europe
Social insurance taxes are the second largest tax revenue source in European OECD countries, at an average of 29.5 percent of total tax revenue.
2 min read![](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/election-2020-e-300x179.jpg)
Results of 2020 State and Local Tax Ballot Measures
See the results of the most notable state and local tax ballot measures during Election 2020 with our curated resource page.
11 min read![Does my state tax social security benefits? States that tax social security benefits](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/States-that-tax-social-security-benefits.-does-my-state-tax-social-security-benefits-01-01-300x274.png)
Does Your State Tax Social Security Benefits?
The question, “Does my state tax Social Security benefits?” may be simple enough, but the answer includes a lot of nuance. Many states have unique and specific provisions regarding the taxation of Social Security benefits, which can be broken into a few broad categories.
3 min read![most americans pay more in payroll taxes than in income taxes payroll tax definition taxedu](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/Bell-3-26-Chart-1-300x216.png)
![Reliance on social insurance tax revenue in Europe, Revenue from Social Security contributions in Europe](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Social-Insurance-2020-dv-01-e1583356186898-300x293.png)
![2019 Election Day 2019, state and local tax ballot measure results, 2019 tax ballot measures, 2019 ballot results](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/State-Ballot-Measure-Results-2019-02-e1572899140330-300x200.png)
Results of 2019 State and Local Tax Ballot Initiatives
Election Day 2019 will feature notable tax-related ballot measures in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. Once the polls close tonight, beginning with Pennsylvania and Texas at 8 PM EST, we will begin tracking the results as they come in.
4 min read![State and local tax ballot measures to watch on election day 2019, 2019 state tax ballot measures, 2019 local tax ballot measures, election 2019 results](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/vote-e1572283092151-300x200.jpg)
![the payroll tax is regressive, while the income tax is progressive](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/paf-payroll-01-300x287.png)
New Report Shows the Burdens of Payroll and Income Taxes
The tax burden for most Americans in 2019 –67.8 percent—will come primarily from payroll taxes, not income taxes. While the income tax is progressive, with average rates rising with income, the payroll tax is regressive, with the highest average rate falling on Americans with the lowest incomes.
3 min read![Annual Social Security Benefits](https://taxfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Social-Security-Chart-300x215.png)
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