Tax Freedom Day 2012 arrived on April 17 this year, according to the Tax Foundation.

FORBES: 10 Things We Could Use Less Of

In 1900, the official Tax Freedom Day (the day individual citizens have worked long enough to pay their share of the taxes) was January 22.

FORBES: Five Taxes That Didn't Exist 40 Years Ago

Tax Freedom Day would come 27 days later, on May 14 instead of April 17, if the federal government raised taxes enough to close the budget deficit.

FORBES: 10 Things We Could Use Less Of

While Tax Freedom Day falls on April 9 this year, the Tax Foundation also does an alternative calculation, reflecting where it would be if we paid enough taxes to cover government spending in the current year.

FORBES: Taxes Are Low--For Now