- April 18, 2011 • 8:30 am PDT
- + comments
- See original
- prevnext
Today is Tax Day. While most Americans think their tax bill is fair, many have no idea where exactly their hard-earned money goes. Let's face it, many leaders in government aren't so clear on how much tax money goes to all the different government-funded programs.
So Google and Eyebeam hosted a contest to find the best data visualization of where our tax money goes. Here are seven standouts. Think of them as visual receipts for your tax bill. One of them actually is, and it's pretty funny.
Anil Kandangath won $5,000 for his first place entry Where Did My Tax Dollars Go?, an extremely easy to use visual calculator of government spending.
On the left column you see what percentage of your paycheck goes to Uncle Sam: 19.6 percent if you are single making $40,000, 32 percent if you make $400,000.
Then an interactive pie chart pops up telling you where that money goes within the government. It's elegant and simple at first glance, but more detail displays when you click each budget item.

1
Debunking 'Green Living': Combatting Climate Change Requires Lifestyle Changes, Not Organic Products
2
A Geodesic Dome Promises Fish from the Sky
3
TED's Taboo: What's Too Controversial for the Hipster Confab?
4
Billr: The App for Dining on a Budget (Without Annoying Your Friends)
5
Companies Value Internships, So Why Don't They Hire Interns?
1
Debunking 'Green Living': Combatting Climate Change Requires Lifestyle Changes, Not Organic Products
2
Infographic: Understanding Social Enterprise
3
Billr: The App for Dining on a Budget (Without Annoying Your Friends)
4
TED's Taboo: What's Too Controversial for the Hipster Confab?
5
Is it Time to 'Occupy Teach For America'?
today's top stories from our friends at pitchfork

It's World Water Day. Here's a slideshow of eye-opening facts and visualizations that will help you better understand the global water challenge.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document the thing you spend most of the day looking at.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document the highlight of your day.

Cheering, chanting, climbing and a flag waving hound dog. See who converged on Ground Zero after Osama Bin Laden's death.
The bulk of your money went to social security, defense, and medicare. Just so you know.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document street style.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document a pet.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document happiness.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document art.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document autumn

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document inspiration.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document hopefulness.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document a friend.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document your commute.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document a life.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document boredum.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document your neighbor.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document your mentor.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document giving thanks.

Take a look at our favorite snapshots from today's #30DayofGOOD Challenge: Document a stranger.