€1.5 billion was paid back to the State last year, with only Dublin and Cork ranking higher.
People in Westmeath are behind just Dublin and Cork when it comes to paying PAYE and USC.
A total of €1.5 billion went back to the State's coffers from the county last year.
Westmeath is sixth in overall tax payments, with €1.9 billion paid despite the county having the 22nd biggest population in Ireland.
That's roughly 20,000 euro per person, in comparison to around 3,520 euro per capita in Laois and 7,600 euro in Offaly.
John Burns is the Deputy Business Editor with the Irish Independent and says questions are being raised:
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