Medieval People in Europe Paid Less in Taxes Than Americans

Americans today pay more taxes than Colonists or even Medieval Europeans

Comparing the average tax burden of a family in Medieval Castile in the 1300s to an American family today

The following are broad averages that could have varied back then, but we provide sources to demonstrate that the figures are within the margins and fair comparisons:

The average tax burden for a Medieval household in 14th century Castile was roughly 8–12% of their total annual productivity. They would earn about 1–2 maravedís a day (unit of value and accounting paid through coins such as gold or silver). The annual tax was about 50–65 maravedís.

A modern U.S. household, between: Federal income tax, State taxes, Payroll taxes, Sales tax, Property tax, Excise taxes, etc., is about 27–30% of a household’s total yearly income.

12% for a Medieval family in 1300s Iberia, and 30% for a modern American one.

Colonial America: Low Taxes, High Rebellion

The American colonists went to war with Britain over taxes that were shockingly low by modern standards. About 1–2% of their income, if that. Colonists in New England paid only 1 shilling per year, while the average British citizen in Britain paid around 26 shillings in taxes.

Colonists objected to being taxed with no elected voice representing them. The **Stamp Act, Townshend Acts, and Tea Act were seen not just as tax burdens, but acts of political overreach**.

Final Thought

So, contrasting all of that, why not allow the reader to ponder what they will? I’ve placed enough contradictions for people to notice, consider, or avoid all together. And we even have taxation with representation now. Either way, there you have it.