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In a special episode of the poor over today, we're explaining the debate about

taxes, including where VP Harris and former President Trump stand.

This is the 12th episode of our election collection, designed to help us grow in

understanding and compassion on key 24 election topics.

Last year, Americans paid roughly 6.55 trillion in taxes across federal, state, and local levels of government.

$4.4 trillion of that revenue went to the federal government.

Nearly half of Uncle Sam's federal fundraising comes from personal income taxes

with just over a third coming from payroll taxes. On the state level, most money

comes from income taxes, though Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire,

South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming don't have a state income tax.

Sales tax is the second largest source of state revenue.

On the local level, most government revenue comes from property taxes,

72% in 2024.

Uncle Sam spends about $2 trillion more annually

than he receives in revenue.

This difference is the much discussed deficit.

Congress is responsible for raising and lowering federal taxes

and deciding how much the federal government spends,

with disagreements leading to gridlock and potential government shutdown

on what feels like a regular basis. Here are some key terms that come up in the debate about taxes.

Payral taxes. For most people, this is a 15.3% tax shared by employers 7.65% and employees 7.65% taken out of each paycheck.

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