The Average American’s Tax Bill Throughout the Years

Median income earners pay thousands in taxes every year, but the exact amount has changed over time as income levels have increased and tax rates have fluctuated.

Find Out: Tax Year Deadline Dates You Need To Know

To determine the average American's tax bill over the last 23 years, GOBankingRates looked at the median income for each year and the historical federal tax rates to calculate how much of those making the median income would have paid in taxes.

You might be surprised by how much Americans have been paying in taxes throughout the years.

1997

• Median income: $37,005
• Federal income tax paid: $4,643

Though federal taxes may seem high, the effective federal income tax rate has actually been going down since the 90s. In the decade of the 90s it was over 12% but by 2019 it was only 8%.

Tips: How to Legally Cheat Your Tax Bracket

1998

• Median income: $38,885
• Federal income tax paid: $4,895

The effective federal income tax rate went up slightly from 12.55% in 1997 to 12.59% in 1998.

Learn More: 8 New or Improved Tax Credits and Breaks for Your 2020 Return

1999

• Median income: $40,696
• Federal income tax paid: $5,152

The effective federal income tax rate went up to 12.66% in 1999.

Don't Forget: All the New Numbers You Need To Know for Planning Ahead on Taxes

2000

• Median income: $41,990
• Federal income tax paid: $5,382

The effective federal income tax rate went up slightly from 12.66% to 12.82%. The marginal federal income tax rate made a huge leap from 15% in 1999 t0 28% in 2000.

What's Your Plan? Most Popular Things To Do With Your Tax Refund — and How To Do It Smarter

2001

• Median income: $42,228
• Federal income tax paid: $5,337

The effective federal income tax rate went up to 12.64%.

Try These: 10 Tax Loopholes That Could Save You Thousands

2002

• Median income: $42,409
• Federal income tax paid: $4,826

The effective federal income tax rate actually dropped from 12.64% in 2001 to 11.38% in 2002.

2003

• Median income: $43,318
• Federal income tax paid: $4,948

The effective federal income tax rate rose from 11.38% in 2002 to 11.42% in 2003.

2004

• Median income: $44,334
• Federal income tax paid: $5,068

In 2004, the effective federal income tax rate went up another one percent to 11.43%.

2005

• Median income: $46,326
• Federal income tax paid: $5,331

In 2005, the effective federal income tax rate went up from 11.43% to 11.54%.

2006

• Median income: $48,201
• Federal income tax paid: $5,560

In 2006, the effective federal income tax rate stayed the same at 11.54%.

Important: 10 Times in Life When Your Taxes Drastically Change

2007

• Median income: $50,233
• Federal income tax paid: $5,797

In 2007, the effective federal income tax rate stayed the same at 11.54%.

2008

• Median income: $50,303
• Federal income tax paid: $5,773

The effective federal income tax rate dropped from 11.54% in 2007 to 11.48% in 2008.

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2009

• Median income: $49,777
• Federal income tax paid: $5,617

The effective federal income tax rate dropped from 11.48% in 2008 to 11.28% in 2009.

2010

• Median income: $49,276
• Federal income tax paid: $5,534

The effective federal income tax rate dropped from 11.28% in 2009 to 11.23% in 2010.

2011

• Median income: $50,303
• Federal income tax paid: $5,626

The effective federal income tax rate rose slightly from 11.23% in 2010 to 11.24% in 2011.

Keep reading if you've got back taxes and need some tips for dealing with them.

2012

• Median income: $51,017
• Federal income tax paid: $5,728

The effective federal income tax rate dropped slightly from 11.24% in 2011 to 11.23% in 2012.

Find Out: Here's How Divorce Impacts Your Taxes

2013

• Median income: $51,939
• Federal income tax paid: $5,811

The effective federal income tax rate dropped slightly from 11.23% in 2012 to 11.19% in 2013.

2014

• Median income: $53,657
• Federal income tax paid: $6,036

The effective federal income tax rate rose slightly from 11.19% in 2013 to 11.25% in 2014.

2015

• Median income: $56,516
• Federal income tax paid: $6,432

The effective federal income tax rate rose slightly from 11.25% in 2014 to 11.38% in 2015.

You Have Options: What to Do When You Can't Pay Your Tax Bill

2016

• Median income: $59,039
• Federal income tax paid: $6,798

The effective federal income tax rate rose slightly from 11.38% in 2015 to 11.52% in 2016.

2017

• Median income: $61,136
• Federal income tax paid: $7,199

The effective federal income tax rate rose slightly from 11.52% in 2016 to 11.78% in 2017. The marginal federal income tax rate took a huge jump from 15% to 25%.

2018

• Median income: $63,179
• Federal income tax paid: $6,097

The effective federal income tax rate dropped several points from 11.78% in 2017 to 9.65% in 2018. The marginal federal income tax rate saw a significant decline from 25% to 15%.

2019

• Median income: $68,703
• Federal income tax paid: $5,770

The effective federal income tax rate dropped from 9.65% in 2018 to 8.4% in 2019. The marginal federal income tax rate dropped slightly from 15% to 12%.

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Gabrielle Olya contributed to the reporting for this article. 

Methodology: GOBankingRates used the US Census Bureau’s historical income data to source the median household income in America from 1975 – 2019. With these figures, GOBankingRates then found each corresponding year's standard deduction for a head of household, as sourced from TaxPolicyCenter.org, to find each year’s (1) taxable income for the median household. GOBankingRates then used an in-house income tax calculator as well as Tax Foundation’s archive of federal income tax brackets to find: (2) federal income taxes paid; (3) marginal federal income tax rate; and (4) effective federal income tax rate. All data was collected on and up to date as of January 4, 2021.

About the Author

Jordan Rosenfeld

Jordan Rosenfeld is a freelance writer and author of nine books. She holds a B.A. from Sonoma State University and an MFA from Bennington College. Her articles and essays about finances and other topics has appeared in a wide range of publications and clients, including The Atlantic, The Billfold, Good Magazine, GoBanking Rates, Daily Worth, Quartz, Medical Economics, The New York Times, Ozy, Paypal, The Washington Post and for numerous business clients. As someone who had to learn many of her lessons about money the hard way, she enjoys writing about personal finance to empower and educate people on how to make the most of what they have and live a better quality of life.

 

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