With key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act recently extended, the question of who benefits most under the current tax code is once again front and center. While some provisions are widely viewed as benefiting middle-income families, others—such as corporate tax cuts and estate tax changes—have drawn scrutiny for favoring wealthier households.
Against this backdrop, a new report from Upgraded Points explores where middle-class families face the highest (and lowest) income tax burdens across the U.S., specifically focusing on 2-parent households with 2 children.
Key Highlights for Gainesville, GA
- The Gainesville Metro’s Effective Tax Rate: A household with two adults and two children in the Gainesville metro area faces an effective tax rate of 12.9%, which ranks 69th among 228 small U.S. metros.
- The Gainesville Metro’s Total Income Tax Burden: That translates to $13,079 in combined federal and state income taxes on a pre-tax income of $101,051—the income level required for an adequate standard of living, which includes the cost of essentials such as housing, food, transportation, child care, health care, and other necessities, as estimated by the Economic Policy Institute.
- The Gainesville Metro Compared to the U.S. Average: For reference, the average middle-class effective tax rate across the U.S. is 13.6%, or $15,522 each year.
The full report covers nearly 400 U.S. metros and all 50 states, with a detailed breakdown of middle-class effective tax rates, estimated annual taxes, and the pretax income required—along with post-tax income levels—for a modest but adequate standard of living. We’ve also included a link to high-resolution, downloadable graphics at the bottom of this email.
The charts in the complete report are fully interactive and available to embed or share.