Tax-Time Indicators

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

The way our tax dollars are divvied up has changed significantly in the past 30 years. The government now devotes far less to defense and proportionately more to Social Security and health.

--1971

Defense 37[cents] Social Security 17[cents] Income Security 11[cents] Net Interest 7[cents] Health 6[cents] Edu., Vets, Transp. 14[cents] Other 8[cents]

--Fiscal year 2001

Social Security 23[cents] Health 21[cents] Defense 16[cents] Income Security 14[cents] Net Interest 11[cents] Edu., Vets, Transp. 10[cents] Other 5[cents]

Sources: Tax Foundation, Office of Management and Budget

SPENDING THE REFUND

About 73% of taxpayers got a refund...

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