How much tax do Australians really pay? - ACOSS

Very interesting report out from the Australian Council of Social Services. SSJoe's been bleating about well off people paying too much tax, ridiculously saying:

Mr Hockey told Fairfax radio on Monday that Australians paid nearly half their income in tax.

"When Australians spend the first six months of the year working for the government with tax rates nearly 50 cents in the dollar it is a disincentive," he said.

"You're working July, August, September, October, November, December just for the government and then you start working for yourself and your own household income after that for another six months - it is a disincentive." more

Which is completely and utterly wrong. What's more he's not limiting it to high earners but saying simply Australians pay half their money in tax. Absolute crap. Where oh where is he getting this shit from?

In fact in this ACOSS report they take into account everything, not just income tax. Overall this is the real tax picture in Australia. Note that the bottom 20% pay a much higher amount in tax than people would think, due to the GST and other indirect taxes.

• The bottom 20% pays an average of $129pw or 24% of their income 

• The top 20% pays an average of $1,006pw or 28% of their income 

• The second 20% pays 21% of their income

 link