WASHINGTON – Thanks to revived book sales after he became president, Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, made $5.5 million last year. They used about one-third of it to pay their federal tax bill.

The Obamas gave $329,100 to charities in 2009. The president, who released his tax returns Thursday, also donated his entire $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize award to 10 charitable groups. He never received the $1.4 million, and it was not included in his 2009 income.

Obama is paid $400,000 a year as president, although he received $374,460 last year because he took office Jan. 20.

The Obamas paid nearly $1.8 million in federal income tax, and $163,303 in Illinois income tax. Among their charitable gifts were $50,000 each to CARE and the United Negro College Fund.

Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, had far more modest earnings. They reported an adjusted gross income of $333,182 for 2009. They paid $71,147 in federal income taxes, $12,420 in Delaware income taxes and $1,477 in Virginia income taxes, where Jill Biden works.

 


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