Pat Dollard

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Amid rancorous debate in Congress over spending and taxes, the White House flipped the switch today on an online system for calculating where tax revenues are being spent.

The White House launched its “Federal Taxpayer Receipt” site on what is typically the deadline for Americans to file their tax returns, although this year taxes are due on April 18. The administration said the site was an effort to increase government openness and transparency.

“Today, we’re hopeful that with this tool for regular Americans, everyday Americans, they can actually see these dollars flowing as easily as one can click a mouse,” said Aneesh Chopra, the White House chief technology officer.

By plugging in the amounts of federal taxes deducted from paychecks, taxpayers can see how much of their taxes go to different parts of the federal government, such as defense, health care and veterans services.

President Obama had called for such a system in his State of the Union speech this year. Senator Scott Brown, a Massachusetts Republican, co-sponsored legislation last month with Democrat Bill Nelson of Florida that would require the IRS to send a receipt to every person who files a tax return.

“I believe that providing Americans with an itemized receipt of how the government is spending their money will help improve transparency and accountability as we work to rein in federal spending and deal with our record debt,” Brown said.

Pete Sepp, a spokesman for the National Taxpayers Union, a free-market groups that seeks lower taxes, said the site could be helpful in showing how the federal tax system is what he called “one big transfer payment.”

“Yes, they’ll see considerable amounts for the military and smaller ones for things like highways but many folks will likely see for the first time that much of the money coming out of their paychecks is winding up in someone else’s check,” he said.

Boston.com