Paycheck sticker shock. Anyone who's ever received a first paycheck remembers that feeling.

Taxes take a bite out of earnings. But it's more than just income taxes, unemployment, and other payroll taxes. People often forget that taxes are everywhere! The phone bill, the gas pump, an airline ticket, things we buy...taxes, taxes, taxes!

Learn more about taxes, from the ancient Egyptians and Greeks to Europe's VAT tax. Find out where some of that money goes!