Sam Johnson marks Tax Freedom Day

April 23, 2008

Today U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson (3rd Dist.-Texas) marked Tax Freedom Day, the day that Americans stop working to pay for government bureaucracy and start working for themselves.

This year Tax Freedom Day falls on April 23, according to the Tax Foundation's annual calculation using the latest government data on income and taxes. This year Tax Freedom Day falls three days earlier than in 2007; the Tax Foundation attributes this to the stimulus rebates and a projection of slow growth in 2008.

The Tax Foundation estimates that, “In 2008, Americans will work 74 days to afford their federal taxes and 39 more days to pay state and local taxes. Meanwhile, buying food requires 35 days of work, clothing 13 days, and housing 60 days. Other major categories are health and medical care (50 days), transportation (29 days), and recreation (21 days).”

“Americans have to work nearly one third of the year just to pay for government. Sadly, the worst is yet to come since the Democrats in Congress want to hike taxes on every single working American” said Johnson.

“Their proposed tax hike for nearly every married couple, family with children, senior, and small business entrepreneur means that the average Third District taxpayer would pay over $3,000 more in taxes. That’s the last thing folks want in this stagnant economy,” concluded Johnson.

Johnson serves on the Ways and Means Committee that has jurisdiction on taxes and represents portions of Dallas and Collin Counties.

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