Twenty one days. That's all the time Congress and the White House have left to work out a deal, before everyone's taxes will increase. If there's no compromise, the average American household will see an increase of $2,200.
So we wanted to find out just how it would impact people with some of their expenses, like food and gas. If the tax went into effect, it would be equal to one half the amount the average American household spends on gas ($4,155 in 2011), and one third ($6,458 in 2011) of what they spent on food.
People we spoke with say these already tough times, and there is no need to make them any worse.
"It would definitely bring up our grocery bills, which would cause us to cut back and make us tighten on generally all our other bills, which is something we don't want to happen," said Jessica Williams of Saegertown.
"There's a lot of people who depend on fixed income, social security, and right now, the cost of living is increasing," said Abner Lagares of Erie. "So its really bad."
While some we spoke to say they are losing hope in their elected officials, they are hoping something will be worked out, and taxes will not increase.
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