In 2006, Americans will work 77 days to afford their federal taxes and 39 more days to afford state and local taxes.

That makes taxation a bigger financial burden than housing and household operation (62 days), health and medical care (52 days), food (30 days), transportation (30 days), recreation (22 days), or clothing and accessories (14 days).

In fact, while the federal Tax Freedom Day fell on April 26, 2006 (three days later in 2006 than it did in 2005), New Yorkers must work until May 9th to afford the second highest state tax burden in the United States (second only to Connecticut). This year, taxes will amount to 31.6 percent of our income (up from 30.9% in 2005).

We need your help to ease this tax burden. And if you live or work in New York, you need our help to make it happen.

To learn how you can help, click here.