After Tuesday, all the money you make is yours to keep

Sun Sentinel

The Associated Press, Posted May 7 2001, 3:53 PM EDT,

TALLAHASSEE -- You're working for yourself for the rest of the year.

According to estimates by the tax watchdog group Florida TaxWatch, Tuesday is ``tax freedom day,'' the day by which the average Floridian has made enough money to pay federal, state and local taxes.

That day has gotten earlier by a few days over the last couple years because personal income has grown faster than taxes have, said the group's president, Dominic Calabro.

``The bottom line is, taxpayers can expect their paychecks to go a little farther than last year,'' Calabro said.

According to the TaxWatch study, the tax burden for Floridians grew this year by less than it has in any of the 25 years the group has been doing its annual look at what Floridians pay to the government.

Total per capita personal taxation is expected to rise 1.6 percent in the 2001 fiscal year.

But taxes still are the largest obligation for people.

The average worker logs 2 hours and 47 minutes on the job each day to pay taxes. Average workers cover housing and utility costs with just an hour and 19 minutes and food and drink with just 43 minutes of the work day.

Copyright © 2001, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

[Doesn't sound like they're figuring the cost of fuel, does it? But as long as I can put gas in the car while barefoot....]

-- Anonymous, May 08, 2001