Government's Pot of Gold Grows on St. Patrick's Day

Cost of Government Center ^ | 2012-03-13 | [Staff]

[92nina]

St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated by an estimated 127.5 million people in the United States, all of whom must first pay a heavy price to government for partaking in the Irish revelry. This year, the cost of celebrating St. Patrick’s Day is driven up by government by 29.9 percent.

Every tradition of the holiday carries a reminder that taxpayers’ luck has run out when it comes to the cost of government: Religious practices, parades, beverages consumed, decorations hung, special meals made and celebratory clothing donned are all targets of government taxation.

These traditions are all subject to forms of income taxes, payroll taxes, corporate income taxes, and other taxes on business and consumer activity. Government seeks out additional revenues by targeting specific products through fees, excise taxes, and international tariffs.

This year’s average St. Patrick’s Day spending is estimated to be $35.64 a person, nearly a 5 percent increase in spending since last year. Americans will spend approximately $4.55 billion across the country.

Approximately 10 percent of this year’s St. Patty’s Day spending will be on beer. Around 49 million cases of beer will be sold during the day with the government collecting taxes on 44.33 percent of all purchases—a total of $203 million in revenue.

If you put the down beer for an Irish coffee, you won't receive any relief from the government. In fact, 56.31 percent of the price of each distilled spirits fills the government's pot of gold.

105 million people will celebrate by buying special clothing, such as green hats and clothes and other novelty outfits. These fabrics are often made from cotton, acrylic, or polyester with tariff taxes of 16 percent or more. In fact, $9.5 billion in revenues was raised from tariffs in 2010.

While 32 percent of Americans enjoy a special dinner for St. Patrick ’s Day, the government’s appetite gobbles up much of the cost of a meal at your favorite Irish pub. The cost of your corned beef dinner is increased by 30.84 percent, thanks to government.

To get into the Irish spirit, 30.3 million Americans will decorate their offices or home for the holiday. Between St. Patrick’s Day accessories, clothes and food, government raises an estimated $1.36 billion from taxes on a cultural celebration. So don’t go bother looking for a leprechaun this year – the government has already stolen the pot of gold.

Taxpayers' unlucky streak doesn't end with St. Patrick's Day: celebrations for other holidays are more expensive thanks to government too: Check out the broken hearts caused by government on Valentine's Day and how government tried to steal Christmas.

[92nina]

Taxpayers' luck has run out when it comes to the cost of government. Taxes and fees increase the cost of celebrating St. Patrick's Day by almost 30 percent this year.

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