Florida TaxWatch Announces Thurs., April 18 is Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2024

Tallahassee, Fla. – Florida TaxWatch is announcing that tomorrow, Thurs., April 18 is Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2024. This symbolic occasion assumes that every dollar Floridians earned since the start of the year goes to pay local, state, and federal taxes, but on that day, they will finally begin earning money for themselves instead of the tax collector. Based on the relative size of all taxes paid in Florida to the state’s total personal income, it took taxpayers an average of 107 days to pay their taxes this year, which is one day longer than in 2023.  

Florida TaxWatch Executive Vice President & General Counsel and Acting Presidnet & CEO Jeff Kottkamp said, “Florida TaxWatch observes Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2024 on April 18 and celebrates the average Florida taxpayer earning enough to pay their taxes for the year. It should also be noted that, because Florida’s state and local tax burden is relatively low, tax independence likely comes earlier for Floridians than the average American, thanks in part to our legislative leaders’ prudent decision making and sound fiscal policies.”

Over the last 25 years, the date marking taxpayer independence has fluctuated, but it has remained within the 20-day timeframe of April 6-26. In fact, Florida TaxWatch points out that Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2024 falls on the same day it did in 2002 (April 18).

Looking ahead to 2025, Florida TaxWatch projects federal tax collections will show little growth, state tax collections will resume modest growth (after falling slightly in 2024), and local tax collections will likely continue to grow at the highest rate of the three levels of government, as property values are expected to continue to climb. Additionally, with Florida’s personal income growth projected to continue, even if modest, taxpayer independence could be earlier next year.

According to Florida TaxWatch: 

• Florida’s total tax burden (federal, state, and local) was an estimated $455 billion in 2024, or $19,815 per capita, which is 29.3 percent of personal income.
• Federal taxes make up 71 percent of Floridians’ total burden, while state taxes account for 15 percent, and local taxes account for 14 percent.
• Over the last 10 years, total taxes paid by Floridians have increased by 90 percent, with local taxes growing the most (105 percent), followed by federal taxes (96.5 percent), and then state taxes (54.7 percent).
• For the average Florida household, earning enough to pay its taxes takes a little more than three and a half months. Looking at it another way, an employee has to work approximately two hours and 21 minutes of each eight-hour workday to earn enough to pay taxes (falling at 11:21 a.m. in a typical 9 a.m.-5 p.m. work schedule).
• Taxes are a family’s single largest expense.
• Florida’s state government tax burden is one of the lowest in the nation, while the local government burden is much closer to the national average.

More information, including the methodology for determining taxpayer independence, can be accessed in the Florida Taxpayer Independence Day 2024 briefing here.

Note: Florida’s Taxpayer Independence Day is initially determined using preliminary estimates, but it is later recalculated using final, actual data, making the date subject to change.

About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog and taxpayer research institute, and the trusted “eyes and ears” of Florida taxpayers for more than 45 years, Florida TaxWatch (FTW) works to improve the productivity and accountability of Florida government. Its research recommends productivity enhancements and explains the statewide impact of fiscal and economic policies and practices on taxpayers and businesses. FTW is supported by its membership via voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled FTW to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the taxpayers it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit www.floridataxwatch.org.