1、Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS WebOrder Code RS20059Updated March 27, 2000Recent Trends in the Federal Tax BurdenGregg A. EsenweinSpecialist in Public FinanceGovernment and Finance DivisionIn FY1999, federal tax revenue measured
2、as a percentage of Gross Domestic Product(GDP) was at a record high level; it is projected to remain at high levels into the future.Yet at the same time, the average federal tax rate within each income group has not risen.That these two seemingly contradictory trends can occur simultaneously is prim
3、arily theresult of the rapid income growth concentrated at the high end of the income distributionwhere marginal income tax rates are at their highest, coupled with tax reductions enactedin the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997. This report discusses these trends and will be updatedas newer data become av
4、ailable. Table 1 shows the level of federal tax revenue as a percentage of GDP for selectedfiscal years from 1965 through 2005. Table 1. Federal Revenue as a Percentage of Gross Domestic Product(FY1965 - FY1999 actual - FY2000 and FY2005 projections)196519701975198019851990199519992000200517.0%19.0%