The Utah Taxpayers Association’s 2026 Beehive Family report offers a fresh look at what it costs to live, work, and pay taxes in Utah—and compared to last year, there are some meaningful shifts for the “typical” Beehive household.
As a reminder, the Beehive Family represents a middle-class Utah household of five, built using real data to illustrate how taxes impact everyday life. In last year’s report, the family earned $96,503 and paid a total tax burden of $30,918, or nearly 30% of their income.
In the 2026 report (tax year 2025), and the story evolves. The Beehive Family’s income jumped significantly to $123,716—driven largely by career advancement and wage growth. While that higher income increased total taxes paid to $34,482, the overall tax burden actually fell slightly as a share of income—from about 29.6% down to 28%.
One of the biggest policy changes impacting the family is Utah’s continued effort to reduce income taxes. The state income tax rate dropped from 4.55% to 4.50%, providing some relief. However, because the family earned more, their total state income tax bill still increased—from $2,942 to $3,851.
Property taxes tell a different story. Despite ongoing local property tax adjustments, the Beehive Family’s property tax bill actually declined—from $4,715 in 2024 to $3,684 in 2025—largely due to a drop in home value of about $58,000. This highlights an important reality: even in a system designed to stabilize revenues for the government, individual tax bills can still shift with market conditions.
Meanwhile, rising consumer prices are showing up clearly in sales taxes. The family’s taxable spending increased notably, pushing their sales tax bill from $2,990 to $3,455. This reflects the broader inflationary pressures Utah families continue to face.
At the federal level, taxes also increased. Federal income taxes rose from $1,612 to $3,263, driven by higher income—even after credits and deductions. Social Security and Medicare taxes remain the largest single tax burden, climbing to over $12,000.
Finally, the 2026 report adds a new layer often overlooked: fees and fines. The Beehive Family paid $644 in 2025 for things like recreation programs, tickets, and licenses—reminding us that government costs extend beyond traditional taxes.
Taken together, this year’s report shows a Beehive Family that is earning more—but also paying more in many areas. Even with targeted tax cuts, rising incomes and inflation continue to shape the real tax experience for Utah families.
You can read the full report here.