The average American pays a higher percent of his income in taxes today than he would have in the late 18th century.

In the late 18th century, the American tax system was much less developed, and the federal government relied heavily on tariffs and excise taxes rather than income taxes. The first federal income tax was only introduced during the Civil War, and the modern income tax system began in the early 20th century. Therefore, the average American today pays a higher percentage of their income in taxes compared to the late 18th century.