What if you could decide how to spend your own tax dollars?

The Idea

Every year, the federal government spends roughly $6.7 trillion of taxpayer money. You get a say in who runs the government. But nobody ever asks what you’d actually do with your tax dollars.

FY is a social experiment. Enter your income, allocate your tax dollars across federal programs, and see how your priorities compare to the actual budget — and to everyone else who’s tried. Feeling inspired? Take it further and let your senators know how you feel.

This Isn’t Crazy. There’s International Precedent.

This isn’t a new idea. Italy has run a version of this since 2006.

Under Italy’s “cinque per mille” program, taxpayers can direct 0.5% of their income tax to specific nonprofits or research institutions by checking a box on their tax return. Tens of millions of Italians participate every year. Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland have similar programs.

None of these countries let citizens allocate the entire budget — but they prove the concept: when you give people a real stake in where money goes, they engage. FY asks: what would Americans do with the whole thing?

What This Is (and Isn’t)

FY is an independent civic experiment, not a government program. It has no affiliation with any government agency, political party, or advocacy group. The data is collected anonymously and published openly. Your allocation changes nothing — except maybe how you think about the next election.

The Data

Budget figures are based on FY2026 estimates from official federal budget documents. Tax estimates use 2026 IRS brackets and standard deductions. All calculations are approximations intended to give you a meaningful personal stake — not to replace a tax professional.