Florida TaxWatch Joins Taxpayers in Celebrating Taxpayer Independence Day Sunday, April 14
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Sunday, April 14, Floridians will celebrate the first day of the year where taxpayers are finally earning money for themselves and not for the tax collector. Taxpayer Independence Day, calculated by Florida TaxWatch, accepts that every dollar earned since January 1 goes to pay federal, state, and local obligations. This year, it will take the average Florida family 103 out of 365 days - or almost three and a half months - to satisfy its tax obligations. Looking at it another way, it takes two hours and 15 minutes of every eight-hour workday to earn enough to pay your taxes.
Historically, taxpayer independence comes sooner in Florida than for the average U.S. taxpayer, and this year is no exception. The Tax Foundation estimates that the national “Tax Freedom Day” for 2019 is April 16, two days later than Florida’s.
"Florida’s economy is steadily and modestly growing, and that is boosting state and local tax collections,” said Florida TaxWatch President and CEO Dominic M. Calabro. “Even with the federal tax cuts of 2017 and the Florida Legislature’s tax-cutting policy, tax collections paid by Floridians grew faster than their income in 2019 so Taxpayer Independence Day is coming one day later this year."
Federal tax burden continues to have the largest impact on Floridians, as federal taxes comprise 68.7 percent of Floridians' federal, state, and local tax burden. For the average Floridian, the state tax burden is 16.5 percent and local tax burden is 14.7 percent of their total tax bill. Florida will contribute $301 billion in taxes to federal, state, and local governments in 2019, $15 billion more than last year.
“Taxes are Florida families’ single biggest expense, more than food, housing and clothing combined,” said Florida TaxWatch Vice President of Research Kurt Wenner. “It’s important that they are kept informed about the changing size of their tax bill, so they can decide if they are getting the government they pay for.”
In addition to the analysis, the report includes the results of a public opinion poll conducted in early 2019 by Florida TaxWatch and Cherry Communications. Read the complete Taxpayer Independence Day 2019 report here.
About Florida TaxWatch
As an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit government watchdog & taxpayer research institute for forty years, the trusted eyes and ears of Florida taxpayers, Florida TaxWatch, 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 citizens and businesses. Florida TaxWatch is supported by voluntary, tax-deductible donations and private grants, and does not accept government funding. Donations provide a solid, lasting foundation that has enabled Florida TaxWatch to bring about a more effective, responsive government that is more accountable to, and productive for, the citizens it serves since 1979. For more information, please visit http://www.floridataxwatch.org.