Dahlkemper: 2009 Taxes Are the Lowest Since 1950 Print E-mail
Tuesday, 11 May 2010 11:55
Washington—Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper (PA-03) today released the following statement on a new analysis by USA Today showing that this year, Americans paid their lowest level in taxes since Harry Truman’s presidency in 1950. On average, taxes paid in 2009—including state, local, federal, income, property, sales and other taxes—amounted to 9.2 percent of all personal income, the lowest rate since 1950, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

“As Pennsylvania’s families have been forced to tighten their belts during the recession, I am proud to have helped reduce their taxes by voting for the largest tax cut in our country’s history. The Recovery Act gave 99 percent of Pennsylvania’s taxpayers a break this year and is a major contributor to making 2009 taxes the lowest rate in nearly 60 years. As long as families and businesses are struggling, I will continue to work to ease their burden while we find new ways to help our local economy grow and create jobs,” said Rep. Dahlkemper, a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition. 

According to USA Today, the average tax rate paid by all Americans regardless of their income level has fallen 26 percent since the recession began in 2007. For a household earning the average national income of $102,000 and paying the average tax rate, that means a $3,400 savings annually. Moreover, taxes paid dropped much faster than income during the recession. While taxes paid dropped by double-digits—23 percent—personal income fell by only two percent last year in comparison.