This Easter, Forget the Eggs: Government Is On the Hunt for Taxes

Cost of Government Center ^ | 2012-04-04 | [Staff]

[92nina]

While springtime normally ushers in warmer weather, taxpayers are still feeling the chill of government this Easter season. Whether you’re hunting for chocolate Easter eggs or enjoying a family Easter dinner, government is there to take a bite out of your holiday celebration. The fourth-largest shopping holiday in the United States, 33.47 percent of the $16.7 billion spent during the Easter season is made up of government taxes and fees—approximately $5.6 billion in revenues.

Easter spending is subject to income taxes, payroll taxes, corporate income taxes, and other taxes on business activity. Government then includes additional fees, excise taxes, and international tariffs that further increase the cost of spending which is almost 11 percent higher than last year. This year’s average Easter spending is estimated to be $145.28 a person, $48.62 of which is taxes.

First, the traditional Easter dinner is more expensive thanks to government. Of the $5.1 billion spent on food, 30.84 percent of the price goes to the government. Food accounts for a little under a third of all Easter spending but thanks to government families will spend an extra $1.6 billion on food.

For the weekend, $2.4 billion of gifts will be exchanged. Visiting the department store for new spring clothes may be the best gift you can give to Uncle Sam. The cost of that new Easter bonnet is made up of 37.62 percent of government taxes and tariffs. Your new Easter dress costs even more thanks to government—42.62 percent of its price is driven up by government tariffs and taxes.

Government targets the hospitality industry particularly hard during the holidays. For those who fly to spend the holidays with loved ones, the cost of a plane ticket is driven up 43.77 percent. Driving to visit the relatives will cost you an addition 44.52 percent in gasoline taxes. If you’re staying in a hotel your final bill will be 39.39 percent higher and car rental costs increase by 38.77 percent thanks to government taxes.

And of course, the government bites off more than the ears on your chocolate Easter bunnies. Candy costs increase 30.81 percent thanks to government; in all, the government will sneak an additional $722 million in revenues from Easter candy purchases this year.

All told, costs for the Easter holiday increase by 33.47 percent due to government taxes and fees. So when the kids ask why there are fewer eggs in their Easter basket this year, you can tell them it’s thanks to their Uncle Sam.

[92nina]

Taxing Sweets and Bunnies

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