how much does the average american pay in taxes over their lifetime?
American National Biography 47 Percenters and Guerrilla Decontextualization (Part 1): Dreams and Nightmares Why Race Mattered in Barack Obama's Re-election
neutral
 Taxes in the United States are levied at the federal , state and local government level . These include taxes on income , payroll , property , sales , imports , estates and gifts , as well as various fees . In 2010 taxes collected by federal , state and municipal governments amounted to 24 @.@ 8 % of GDP . During FY2012 , the federal government collected approximately $ 2 @.@ 45 trillion in tax revenue , up $ 147 billion or 6 % versus FY2011 revenues of $ 2 @.@ 30 trillion . Primary receipt categories included individual income taxes ( $ 1,132B or 47 % ) , Social Security / Social Insurance taxes ( $ 845B or 35 % ) , and corporate taxes ( $ 242B or 10 % ) . Based on CBO estimates , under 2013 tax law the top 1 % will be paying the highest average tax rates since 1979 , while other income groups will remain at historic lows . 

neutral
 Income in the United States is most commonly measured either by individual or household . In 2005 the median personal income , the amount earned by the average Joe or average Jane , is largely determined by who is or who is not included in the statistics . Personal income statistics are given in accordance to a variety of demographic characteristics . The median income for all 233 million persons over the age of 15 was $ 28 @,@ 567 . 

neutral
 The President 's Advisory Panel for Federal Tax Reform cited the rebate as one of their chief concerns when analyzing their national sales tax , stating that it would be the largest entitlement program in American history , and contending that it would " make most American families dependent on monthly checks from the federal government " . Estimated by the advisory panel at approximately $ 600 billion , " the Prebate program would cost more than all budgeted spending in 2006 on the Departments of Agriculture , Commerce , Defense , Education , Energy , Homeland Security , Housing and Urban Development , and Interior combined . " Proponents point out that income tax deductions , tax preferences , loopholes , credits , etc. under the current system was estimated at $ 945 billion by the Joint Committee on Taxation . They argue this is $ 456 billion more than the FairTax " entitlement " ( tax refund ) would spend to cover each person 's tax expenses up to the poverty level . In addition , it was estimated for 2005 that the Internal Revenue Service was already sending out $ 270 billion in refund checks . 

neutral
 Wealth , like income and taxes , is highly concentrated ; the richest 10 % of the adult population possess 72 % of the country 's household wealth , while the bottom half claim only 2 % . Between June 2007 and November 2008 the global recession led to falling asset prices around the world . Assets owned by Americans lost about a quarter of their value . Since peaking in the second quarter of 2007 , household wealth was down $ 14 trillion , but has since increased $ 14 trillion over 2006 levels . At the end of 2014 , household debt amounted to $ 11 @.@ 8 trillion , down from $ 13 @.@ 8 trillion at the end of 2008 . 

neutral
 By only including those above age 25 , the vast majority of students and all working adolescents are excluded . The median income for the people above the age 25 was $ 32 @,@ 140 in 2005 . Of those with incomes , over the age of 25 , almost three quarters , 73 @.@ 31 % , the median income was clocked at $ 39 @,@ 336 in 2005 . This figure excludes those employed part @-@ time , students , working teenagers , retirees and the unemployed . Depending on whether or not those working part @-@ time are included , the average American makes between $ 32 @,@ 000 and $ 39 @,@ 000 . 
