POLITICS + GOVERNMENT

The Beehive family helps break down what the average Utahn is taxed

Apr 19, 2023, 7:00 PM | Updated: 7:28 pm

Utah Taxpayers Association created a fictional family, the Beehive family, to break down what taxes...

Utah Taxpayers Association created a fictional family, the Beehive family, to break down what taxes the average Utahn pays. (prachid/Adobe Stock via CNN)

(prachid/Adobe Stock via CNN)

SALT LAKE CITY — Bob and Brooke Beehive, from Utah, are married with three kids and make around $86,000 annually. However, this family isn’t real. 

Instead, this fictitious family was created by the Utah Taxpayers Association to represent the average Utah family. 

Dave Noriega and Debbie Dujanovic talked to Rusty Cannon, president of the Utah Taxpayers Association, on one of their latest shows. They break down how much the Beehive family gets taxed. 

Bob makes about $60,000 annually, and Brooke makes around $27,000 and standards deductions are taken from their income. 

Out of the around $86,000 combined annual income, more than $20,000 is paid in taxes, 23% of the household’s income.

Taxes for the Beehive family

According to Noriega, the report that used the Beehive family had over 30 different taxes being implemented. 

Of the hypothetical $20,000 the Beehive family pays in taxes, less than $1,000 goes to the federal income tax, says Dujanovic. 

Although this might seem surprising, Cannon explains that there was over $14,000 paid in social security and Medicare tax from the Beehive family also to the federal government. 

Cannon goes on to discuss currently how payroll tax is set up. 

“If you are employed by an employer, for instance, half of it is paid by the employer, you never see it. But if you quit today, go home, and become self-employed, you’d pay all of it. And it’s all paid to the government,” he says. 

Cannon says that the fund holding social security money is going in solvent in 11 years. 

“Elected officials that continue to “refuse to touch social security” they’re making an endorsement of a 20% cut of benefit to every American in 11 years if we don’t fix this,” he explains. 

Dujanovic then poses the question if the employer covers half of the social security tax, does that result in lower wages? 

“We think absolutely that is the case,” Cannon responded.

According to Cannon, the biggest state tax burden to Utahns is property tax. And the second is state income tax.

“I think it does paint a picture of what your listeners can do or what any taxpayer is Utah can do, pay attention and get involved,” Cannon said when Dujanovic asked if there was anything the fictional family could do to lower their taxes. 

“People need to get involved and pay attention,” he said. 

Listen to the full episode below. 

 

Related reading:

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Politics + Government

Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump speak at rallies in Pennsylvania on ...

JILL COLVIN, DARLENE SUPERVILLE and BILL BARROW, Associated Press

Harris and Trump’s final push before Election Day brings them to the same patch of Pennsylvania

On the eve of Election Day, Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump made their final pitches to Pennsylvania voters.

8 minutes ago

Multiple Harris/Walz campaign signs were reportedly stolen and vandalized in a Holladay neighborhoo...

Eric Cabrera

Campaign signs stolen and smashed in Holladay

Campaign signs in Holladay were reportedly stolen and vandalized Thursday night, something police call a common issue.

1 hour ago

a box of ballots...

Alexandrea Bonilla and Sam Herrera

Attack ads aim to encourage voter turnout, expert says

Attack ads this late in a campaign aren't meant to convince undecided voters, they're meant to encourage supporters to vote.

4 hours ago

Elon Musk takes the stage during a campaign rally for Republican presidential nominee, former U.S....

MARYCLAIRE DALE Associated Press

Elon Musk’s $1 million-a-day voter sweepstakes can proceed, a Pennsylvania judge says

Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner had called the sweepstakes a scam that violates state election law and asked that it be shut down.

6 hours ago

State leaders say the Utah election security system is strong....

Eric Cabrera and Verl Johansen

Ballot boxes overflow in Salt Lake County

When some Salt Lake County voters went to drop off their ballot Monday morning the box was already overflowing.

6 hours ago

Katherine Kitterman holds her two-year-old son, Ethan Roberts, as he places her ballot in a drop bo...

Hugo Rikard-Bell

Smaller counties in Utah see higher voter turnout ahead of Election Day

As of Monday, Nov. 4, the Utah's lieutenant governor's office reported that smaller counties have larger voter turnout.

7 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

4 construction workers fixing roof against clouds blue sky, install shingles at the top of the hous...

Chipman Roofing

Weather the storms by maintaining your roof

By taking the time to assess your roof's condition and make repairs as needed, you maintain the longevity of your home's stability.

Tax Harassment...

Law Offices of Jordan F. Wilcox

Feeling intimidated by the IRS? 6 Essential facts you should know.

If you are receiving threatening letters and wage garnishments from the IRS, hiring an attorney can help ensure your rights are protected.

Photo courtesy of Nightmare on 13th...

Nightmare on 13th

Here’s why Nightmare on 13th is the best haunted house in Utah

Fall brings Halloween, and Halloween brings Haunted Houses. There’s no better Haunted House than Nightmare on 13th – here’s why!

USA, Utah, Bear Lake. The deep blue of Utah's Bear Lake contrasts with autumn foliage....

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Experience Bear Lake’s all-year activities

We break down Bear Lake's four-season recreational offerings so the whole family can enjoy their time there any time of the year.

Water park with a vintage VW bug in front with a surfboard on top...

Cowabunga Bay

Spend the last days of summer at Cowabunga Bay! 

Cowabunga Bay is one of Utah's premier water parks that features water slides, a lazy river, a kids' cove, and a beach with lounge chairs.

A young woman smiles while reading the menu at a lakeside restaurant, enjoying the panoramic view o...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best restaurants to try in Bear Lake

Save this guide to the best restaurants in Bear Lake when you need to find a place to dine during your next visit.

The Beehive family helps break down what the average Utahn is taxed