The watchdog group Florida TaxWatch issued a news release today announcing April 20 as “Tax Independence Day,” meaning the average Florida taxpayer had to work 110 days out of 366 just to satisfy tax obligations.

(Forgive a small digression but did you forget 2012 is a leap year? I had.)

Think about that for a second. According to TaxWatch, that means Floridians work two hours and 24 minutes out of a standard eight-hour day just to pay the taxman. Throw in an hour for lunch and you’re talking about a third of your work time spent just earning the taxes you to have pay because you’re earning a salary at all.

Remember that next time you hear public employees whining about their pay. (Unless you are a public employee reading this, in which case all I can say is, “Stop reading this and get back to the work we’re paying you for.”)

So for the rest of you, don’t forget to celebrate tonight. Go out to dinner or something. And don't be stingy with the tip. Waitstaff pay taxes, too.