Washington  - US president-elect Barack Obama's plan to jump-start the US economy will include 300 billion dollars in tax cuts, the New York Times reported Monday as Obama prepared to meet with congressional leaders to discuss his plans.

Obama will devote about 40 per cent of his estimated 675-billion to 775-billion-dollar economic stimulus plan to tax cuts, in part to appeal to critics that say the package is too heavy on government spending, the Times quoted advisors as saying.

Most of the tax cuts - 150 billion dollars - would go to workers, with 100 billion dollars in cuts aimed at businesses.

Obama, who will be sworn in as president on January 20, has not publicly discussed many details of his plan, except to say that it will include investment in infrastructure, technology and health care. He is to meet with congressional leaders from both parties on Monday to discuss his plan and give a speech Thursday outlining it for the public.

The economy will likely be Obama's first priority as the nation faces a recession sparked by turmoil in the financial sector. President George W Bush has already devoted
700 billion dollars to help the financial sector and has further offered funds to the ailing US automotive industry and sent stimulus checks to taxpayers. (dpa)