Who pays the most income taxes?

[Tom Joad]

I found this part to be interesting:

The study shows the Canadian tax burden for a comparable worker is two percentage points lower, even though the country provides universal healthcare to all residents through its taxation system.

So, my question is: Why the Hell can't we do that?


http://finance.yahoo.com/news/pays-m...094800229.html

Well whaddaya know ... the average American pays more in tax and social security than Canadians, Australians, the Japanese and the British.

But when you compare the American tax burden to other developed nations, the numbers don't look so bad.

New data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development compared tax rates and social security deductions on average incomes in 34 countries.

[mpholland]

Americans pay 24.6% of their salary in income taxes and social security, allowing them to take home about 75% of their gross pay.

I take issue with "take home".

when you compare the American tax burden to other developed nations, the numbers don't look so bad.

...except you can probably double that tax rate if you consider what people pay for medical insurance a tax.

and for those of us that pay child support and contribute to retirement accounts the "take home" pay can be quite small indeed. My check is 41% of my wage. After the mortgage gets paid that leaves about 400 to pay all the other bills with. Good thing the wife makes a bit on Ebay.

[Tom Joad]

Originally Posted by mpholland

...except you can probably double that tax rate if you consider what people pay for medical insurance a tax.

I agree.

I'm currently paying about 20% for mine.