How Much of Our Taxes Go to the Military?
As citizens, we are all too familiar with the concept of paying taxes. We understand that a portion of our hard-earned income goes towards funding various government programs, services, and infrastructure. But have you ever wondered how much of our taxes actually go towards the military? In this article, we’ll delve into the numbers and provide a clear answer to this question.
The Breakdown
To understand how much of our taxes go towards the military, let’s start by looking at the total federal budget. The United States federal budget is massive, with a total budget of $4.4 trillion in 2020. 24% of this budget, or $1.06 trillion, goes towards national defense, which includes the military.
Here’s a breakdown of how the national defense budget is allocated:
| Category | 2020 Budget | % of Total National Defense Budget |
|---|---|---|
| Military Personnel | $144.7 billion | 13.6% |
| Operation and Maintenance | $231.4 billion | 21.7% |
| Procurement | $108.6 billion | 10.2% |
| Research and Development | $75.6 billion | 7.1% |
| Military Construction | $8.6 billion | 0.8% |
| Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation | $3.4 billion | 0.3% |
| Other | $16.7 billion | 1.6% |
How Much of Our Taxes Go Towards the Military?
Now that we’ve seen the breakdown of the national defense budget, let’s answer the question: how much of our taxes go towards the military? To do this, we need to calculate the percentage of individual taxes that go towards national defense.
According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), in 2020, the average American paid $12,949 in federal income taxes. Of this amount, $3,153, or 24.3%, went towards national defense.
Here’s a breakdown of how this calculation works:
| Annual Income | Average Federal Income Tax | % of Tax Towards National Defense |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$20,000 | $1,200 | 26.3% |
| $20,000-$50,000 | $4,400 | 24.1% |
| $50,000-$100,000 | $9,000 | 23.6% |
| $100,000-$200,000 | $19,000 | 22.9% |
| $200,000+ | $40,000 | 22.2% |
Conclusion
In conclusion, 24.3% of the average American’s federal income taxes go towards national defense, which includes the military. This means that out of every dollar paid in federal income taxes, approximately 24 cents go towards funding the military. While this may seem like a significant amount, it’s essential to remember that national defense is a crucial aspect of our government’s responsibilities.
Key Takeaways
- The total federal budget is $4.4 trillion in 2020, with 24% going towards national defense.
- The national defense budget is allocated across various categories, with 13.6% going towards military personnel and 21.7% towards operation and maintenance.
- The average American paid $12,949 in federal income taxes in 2020, with $3,153, or 24.3%, going towards national defense.
- This means that out of every dollar paid in federal income taxes, approximately 24 cents go towards funding the military.
Sources
- Congressional Budget Office (CBO). (2020). Budget and Economic Data.
- National Priorities Project. (2020). Federal Budget Data.
- US Government Accountability Office (GAO). (2020). Federal Budget: Analysis of the President’s Budget.
