Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go? As taxes come due on April 15th, the National Priorities Project offers its annual report on how the federal government spent 2007 income tax dollars: over 40 percent went towards military spending, while education received just over 4 percent. In Where Do Your Tax Dollars Go?, NPP provides a breakdown of how the federal government spent the median household's 2007 tax payment in each state and almost 200 cities. With the current Administration's priorities to fund a half a trillion dollar war in Iraq and a yearly military budget of the same amount, the breakdown of the income tax dollar is as predictable as it is shocking. While the federal government spent 42.2 percent of every 2007 income tax dollar towards military spending, anti-poverty programs received 8.7 percent and funding for the environment, energy and science received just 2.6 percent. You can contrast this breakdown with the cost of the Iraq War to your state, city or congressional district. As NPP spokesperson Greg Speeter noted, "Every elected official owes their taxpaying constituents an accounting for spending their tax dollars on war and excessive weapon systems while people struggle to hold onto their jobs and their homes." NPP's latest tax day publication also looks ahead at the Bush Administration's proposed federal spending and tax cuts for Fiscal Year 2009. Under the President's proposal, the Iraq War would receive another $139 billion in Iraq War spending, bringing the total allocated to the war to $745 billion. Also under the President's proposal, tax cuts for the richest 10 percent would cost $116.6 billion in Fiscal Year 2009. At the same time, spending on renewable energy and conservation would receive $1.3 billion. Voters have made clear in the latest polls that they are not happy with the country's current direction. With a quick look at how the government spent last year's income tax dollars, it's easy to see why. National Priorities Project, 413-584-9556