What’s Uncle Sam doing with our tax money?

April 19, 2014

Last week, millions of us filed our 2013 income taxes. 

So what are Uncle Sam's plans for our money?

Several groups crunched the numbers and offer a look not only at the overall federal spending, but online tools with which we can get an idea of how much our specific tax bills are spent on which programs.

The National Priorities Project created the dollar graphic below showing how one dollar in taxes is was parceled out in fiscal year 2013.

Where your taxes went courtesy National Priorities dot OrgSocial Security and Medicare taxes are not included.

Since we all paid more than $1 National Priorities also created an individualized taxpayer receipt tool.

The receipt I ran shows how $26,000 in federal income taxes — I just picked a number out of the air — was spent by the government in fiscal year 2013.

Federal tax receipt 26K example1 National Priorities dot Org Federal tax receipt 26K example2 National Priorities dot Org

The White House has its own taxpayer receipt online calculator.

White House taxpayer receipt online calculator

You can enter your own dollar amounts or choose a preselected taxpayer scenario, ranging from a single individual with no children and $25,000 in income to a married couple with two kids and earnings of $80,000, to find the dollar amounts. The figures will be based on the following percentages.

White House taxpayer receipt spending percentages

National defense, says 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, gets the most of our income taxes.

The health care programs that come in second include Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), Medicare doctor payments and prescription drug payments, health research and food safety programs and disease control and public health services.

Finally, one more infographic, this one from MoneyTips.com, breaks down where our tax dollars go.

Where your tax dollars went 2013 via Money Tips dot Com

All the percentages in all the graphics are very close.

Are you surprised at how much or how little is spent in certain areas? Which federal programs would you prefer not get your tax dollars?

You also might find these items of interest:

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The More Tax Posts tab at the top of this page will take you to, well, more tax posts. You also can search below for a tax topic. 

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Those procrastinating filers aren’t a problem. In fact, the IRS appreciates taxpayers who take time to fill out their 1040 forms correctly. It also is grateful that tax submissions are spread out a bit, especially now that the IRS is a leaner agency. Processing returns is easier when they arrive throughout the year instead of in massive bunches.

But enough about Uncle Sam’s tax collection issues. The focus now is on all y’all who filed for extensions, giving you another six months to complete your return. Since your new mid-October due date will be here before you know it, let’s get started now on meeting it.

The ol’ blog is here to help you finish up your extended Form 1040. You can start with January’s tax tips page, which has links to the rest of the year’s tips by-month collections. You also can peruse various tax categories for more tailored advice by clicking on the More Tax Posts drop-down menu at the top of this (and every) page.

And to make sure you don’t miss your new filing deadline, the count-down clock below will let you know just how much time you to file by Oct. 15. At the latest.e. (Note: I’m in the Central Time Zone, so adjust accordingly for where you live.)

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