
Share
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%.
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%.
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.
Do You Know? How Much You’re Really Paying in Property Taxes
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%.
More From GOBankingRates
- These Are the Best Banks of 2021 – Did Yours Make the Cut?
- 36 Ways To Save For Your Emergency Fund and Any Unexpected Situations
- Top 100 Banks Leading the U.S. in 2021
- 25 Tips and Tricks for Buying a Car Online During the Pandemic
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.
Share this article:
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.