Tax Bites

After a year of hard work, the average man or woman is entitled to a little vacation with the family. They may have scrimped and saved all year to be able to spend two weeks at their favorite vacation spot. Of course, their savings are heavily taxed all year. But when they finally go to buy airline tickets, what they probably don't realize is how much they are paying in taxes again.

All airline tickets are subject to a federal excise tax of 7.5 percent. In addition, there is a $2.50 surcharge to pay for air traffic control services. If you are flying overseas, you are subject to a $12.40 Arrival Tax, a $12.40 Departure Tax, and a $5.00 Customs User Fee. Many airports are also  subject to a $3 Passenger Facilities Charge, which is another tax.  (Note:  Pending legislation would raise the PFC tax to $4.50.)

Air travelers are also subject to a $6.00 Immigration User Fee and a $2.00 Agricultural Inspection Fee.  Consequently, over 10 percent of what you pay for flying is actually going to these taxes.

But that's only the start.  Additional taxes paid by the airlines account for about 30 percent of the price of an airline ticket.

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