Each year, most Americans refer to April 15 as ‘Tax Day’. That’s because that day is the usual deadline to file federal tax returns. “Tax Day” is the same for everyone.

But there is a much more important date for every citizen: “Tax Freedom Day.” While everyone has a Tax Freedom Day – it varies for each individual.

This year, both days happen to coincide on April 17. The coincidence is due to Tax Day falling this year on a Sunday; and, the next day, Monday, April 16, being a holiday in Washington, D.C.

That both days are the same this year should not confuse or distract from the reality that, again, the much more important date for every taxpayer in any year is: Tax Freedom Day.

Why?

Because Tax Freedom Day marks the day when each taxpayer has earned enough income to pay their aggregate tax burden to government — at all levels. This year, Tax Freedom Day for the average taxpayer nationally is April 17. Thus, the average taxpayer will work his/her first 97 days of 2012 for government.

Don’t want to consider yourself as average? OK, you just might be above or below average as a U.S. taxpayer. You can find out which category you’re in by doing some calculations. Thanks to the good people at the Tax Foundation, who do excellent work with data analysis. we have the information, insight and the opportunity to compare tax burdens by state to help you determine where you stand.

Before you continue to read, take note of the date you are actually reading this column, as well as your state of residence.

Now, here’s the tale of the Government’s Tax Take:

If you reside in  Delaware, Iowa or Utah, you are more likely average in that April 17 is Tax Freedom Day for each of those three states’ “average” taxpayer… as well as the average U.S. taxpayer.

But, live in any of the other 47 states, or District of Columbia, your total federal and state tax bill will be either:

•Better — that is you pay less than the national average, which places you in the above-average taxpayer category; or,

• Worse — that is you pay more than the national average, which places you in the below-average taxpayer category.

Here a sampling of the tax facts:

The Top 10 slots are taken by the following 12 states (3 tied for 10th place) having achieved the shortest time in 2012 to Tax Freedom Day: Tennessee (March 31), Louisiana and Mississippi (April 1), South Carolina (April 3), South Dakota (April 4), Alaska (April 5), Alabama and Hawaii (April 6) as well as Maine, Oklahoma and West Virginia (April 8).

Therefore, if you chose to reside in any of the aforementioned states, you are more likely to be in better relative tax shape regarding aggregate taxes than taxpayers in any other states. That would be good news for you and for many other readers.

While you may not deem the current tax reality good for you, it could be worse. You could reside in a state where taxpayers must work the longest this year before reaching Tax Freedom Day.

Here is the list of the 10 Worst Tax States where residents likely must work the highest number of days to “Tax Freedom Day”: Connecticut (May 5), New Jersey and New York (May 1), Washington State (April 24), Illinois, Maryland and Wyoming (April 23); Massachusetts and Minnesota (April 22); and Wisconsin (April 21).

In summary, let’s reflect on reality — taxes are necessary. At the same time - two fundamental questions must be asked:

1. How much tax is necessary for our federal government; and,

2. How much tax is necessary for your state government? These are questions each citizen taxpayer must thoughtfully consider — now more than ever.

Richard Olivastro is president of Olivastro Communications. Rich Olivastro@ gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.