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If you are among the many people who avoids doing your tax return until the last minute, today is probably one of the most stressful days of the year. (Don't forget to file, or at least request an extension, by midnight tonight.) According to the conservative Tax Foundation, this is also a day for celebration: As of today, April 17, the average American worker has now worked enough in 2012 to pay all of his or her federal, state and local taxes for the year. The group calls the concept Tax Freedom Day, and it comes four days later than it did last year.

Missouri's taxes are lower than average, so Show-Me State residents could have celebrated their tax freedom 10 days ago, on April 7. Illinois residents have to work until April 23 to cover their full tax burden.

Like taxes in general, though, the Tax Freedom Day concept is controversial. The liberal Center on Budget and Policy Priorities points out that 80 percent of American households actually pay less than the "average" burden. It also contends that the very idea of tax "freedom" is flawed:

Few Americans would likely feel more free if Tax Freedom Day came earlier in the year because the federal government stopped providing for national security, ensuring homeland security, conducting food safety inspections, or testing prescription drugs.

See the article here:
Filed your taxes yet? As of today, you've also worked enough to pay them