If youre not paying your taxes, then youre not paying enough. Most Americans pay an average of about $3,000 a year in taxes. If youre not paying your taxes, then youre not paying enough. The government is taking about $1.2 trillion out of our pockets each year. Most Americans pay an average of about $3,000 a year in taxes. If youre not paying your taxes, then youre not paying enough. The government is taking about $1.2 trillion out of our pockets each year.