Do undocumented immigrants pay taxes?
Undocumented Immigrants play a crucial role in the U.S. economy, not only through their labor but also through substantial tax contributions that support public services and government programs.
- In 2022, households led by undocumented immigrants paid $75.6B in total taxes. This includes:
- $29.0B in state and local taxes
- $46.6B in federal taxes
- In 2022, approximately 4.5% of the U.S. workforce was undocumented.
- 89.8% of undocumented immigrants are of working age.
Our Map the Impact tool shows the tax contributions of immigrants at the national, state and local level.
Recent Features
Undocumented immigrants are paying billions of dollars each year in taxes. In spite of their undocumented status, these immigrants—and their family members—are adding value to the U.S. economy, not only as taxpayers, but as workers, consumers, and entrepreneurs as well.
- Blog
Over the years, more and more economists have come to the conclusion that immigrant workers “complement” the native-born majority of the labor force by bringing different sets of skills and different demographic profiles with them, both of which enhance and expand the economy as a whole.
One in eight U.S. residents is an immigrant, while one in nine residents is a native-born U.S. citizen with at least one immigrant parent.