Bush paid $227,490 as income tax in 2003

US President George W Bush and his wife reported a taxable income of $727,083 for the last year and paid $227,490 in federal income taxes, the White House said.

The President's 2003 income included salary earned as President and investment income from the trusts in which their assets are held.

Bush contributed $68,360 to churches and charitable organisations, including Evergreen Chapel at Camp David, Tarrytown United Methodist Church, St John's Church, the M D Anderson Clinic, and the Federal Government's Combined Federal Campaign.

Vice President Dick Cheney and his wife also made public their earning and tax figures for 2003.

Their income tax return shows that the Cheneys owe federal taxes of $253,067 on taxable income of $813,226.

During 2003, the Cheneys paid $258,779 in taxes through withholding and estimated tax payments.

The wage and salary income reported on the tax return includes the Vice President's $198,600 government salary.

In addition, the tax return reports the payment of deferred compensation from Halliburton Company, in the amount of $178,437.