How Much the Average Person Paid in Taxes the Year You Were Born
Look back at how tax numbers have changed over the years.
When you fill out your 1040, you might be wondering how much taxes have changed over the years.
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It’s safe to say the numbers for federal income taxes have changed dramatically — both the taxes paid, but also household median income. Take a trip back in time by reading on, and see how much the average person paid in federal taxes the year you were born.
Last updated: Oct. 28, 2021

1960
- Household Median Income: $5,620
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $5,058
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,074
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 24%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 19.11%
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1961
- Household Median Income: $5,737
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $5,163
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,099
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 24%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 19.16%
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1962
- Household Median Income: $5,956
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $5,360
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,146
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 24%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 19.25%
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1963
- Household Median Income: $6,249
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $5,624
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,210
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 24%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 19.36%

1964
- Household Median Income: $6,569
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $5,912
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,136
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 22%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 17.29%

1965
- Household Median Income: $6,957
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $6,261
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,117
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 22%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 16.06%

1966
- Household Median Income: $7,500
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $6,750
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,225
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 22%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 16.33%
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1967
- Household Median Income: $7,933
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $7,140
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,311
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 22%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 16.52%

1968
- Household Median Income: $8,632
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $7,769
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,449
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 22%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 16.79%

1969
- Household Median Income: $9,433
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $8,490
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,623
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 25%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 17.20%
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1970
- Household Median Income: $9,867
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $8,767
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,660
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 25%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 19.55%
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1971
- Household Median Income: $10,285
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $9,235
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,764
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 23%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 17.15%
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1972
- Household Median Income: $11,116
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $9,816
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,898
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 23%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 17.07%

1973
- Household Median Income: $12,050
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $10,750
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,128
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 25%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 17.66%
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1974
- Household Median Income: $11,100
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $9,800
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,894
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 23%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 17.06%

1975
- Household Median Income: $11,800
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $10,200
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,990
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 25%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 16.86%
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1976
- Household Median Income: $12,686
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $10,986
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,187
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 25%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 17.24%

1977
- Household Median Income: $13,572
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $11,372
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $1,750
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 23%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.89%

1978
- Household Median Income: $15,064
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $12,864
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,106
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 25%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 13.98%
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1979
- Household Median Income: $16,461
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $14,161
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,275
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 24%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 13.82%

1980
- Household Median Income: $17,710
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $15,410
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,583
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 26%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 14.58%

1981
- Household Median Income: $19,074
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $16,774
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,937
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 26%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 15.40%

1982
- Household Median Income: $20,171
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $17,871
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,882
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 23%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 14.29%

1983
- Household Median Income: $20,885
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $18,585
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,768
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 25%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 13.25%

1984
- Household Median Income: $22,415
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $20,115
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $2,994
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 24%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 13.36%
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1985
- Household Median Income: $23,618
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $21,218
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,184
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 24%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 13.48%

1986
- Household Median Income: $24,897
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $22,417
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,401
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 24%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 13.66%

1987
- Household Median Income: $26,061
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $23,521
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,496
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 28%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 13.41%
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1988
- Household Median Income: $27,225
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $22,825
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,424
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.58%

1989
- Household Median Income: $28,906
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $24,356
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,653
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.64%
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1990
- Household Median Income: $29,943
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $25,193
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,779
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.62%

1991
- Household Median Income: $30,126
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $25,126
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,769
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.51%

1992
- Household Median Income: $30,636
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $25,386
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,808
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.43%

1993
- Household Median Income: $31,241
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $25,791
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $3,869
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.38%

1994
- Household Median Income: $32,264
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $26,664
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $4,000
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.40%

1995
- Household Median Income: $34,076
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $28,326
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $4,249
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.47%

1996
- Household Median Income: $35,492
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $29,592
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $4,439
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.51%
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1997
- Household Median Income: $37,005
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $30,955
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $4,643
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.55%
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1998
- Household Median Income: $38,885
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $32,635
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $4,895
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.59%

1999
- Household Median Income: $40,696
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $34,346
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,152
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.66%

2000
- Household Median Income: $41,990
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $35,540
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,382
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 28%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.82%
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2001
- Household Median Income: $42,228
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $35,578
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,337
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 12.64%

2002
- Household Median Income: $42,409
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $35,509
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $4,826
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.38%
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2003
- Household Median Income: $43,318
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $36,318
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $4,948
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.42%

2004
- Household Median Income: $44,334
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $37,184
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,068
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.43%

2005
- Household Median Income: $46,326
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $39,026
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,331
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.51%
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2006
- Household Median Income: $48,201
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $40,651
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,560
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.54%
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2007
- Household Median Income: $50,233
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $42,383
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,797
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.54%
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2008
- Household Median Income: $50,303
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $42,303
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,773
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.48%
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2009
- Household Median Income: $49,777
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $41,427
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,617
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.28%

2010
- Household Median Income: $49,276
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $40,876
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,534
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.23%

2011
- Household Median Income: $50,054
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $41,554
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,626
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.24%
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2012
- Household Median Income: $51,017
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $42,317
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,728
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.23%
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2013
- Household Median Income: $51,939
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $42,989
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,811
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.19%
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2014
- Household Median Income: $53,657
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $44,557
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $6,036
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.25%

2015
- Household Median Income: $56,516
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $47,266
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $6,432
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.38%
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2016
- Household Median Income: $59,039
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $49,739
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $6,798
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.52%
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2017
- Household Median Income: $61,136
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $51,786
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $7,199
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 25%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 11.78%
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2018
- Household Median Income: $63,179
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $45,179
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $6,097
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 15%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 9.65%

2019
- Household Median Income: $68,703
- Taxable Income after Standard Deduction: $50,353
- Federal Income Tax Paid: $5,770
- Marginal Federal Income Tax Rate: 12%
- Effective Federal Income Tax Rate: 8.40%
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GOBankingRates used the US Census Bureau’s historical income data and Current Population Survey to source the median family income in America from 1960-1973 and the median household income in America from 1974 – 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 for a household with the national median income each year. All data was collected on and up to date as of Jan. 26, 2021.