Heavy taxes have become a burden on the common people.
Tips
usage
重负 is most often figurative — it pairs naturally with 如释重负 (rúshì-zhòngfù, 'as if a heavy burden has been released'), the standard idiom for sighing in relief.
register
Slightly literary. Spoken Chinese prefers 负担 (fùdān) for everyday 'burden' talk; 重负 carries gravitas.
