Special Report
States Where Americans Are Paying the Most Taxes
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In the U.S. federalist system, each state government decides how to generate revenue — that is, which taxes to collect, and how. No state tax code is identical and, largely as a result, what the average American pays annually in taxes varies from state to state.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the tax burden of residents in each state — the portion of income that goes to state and local governments’ taxes — from the report, “Facts & Figures 2017: How Does Your State Compare?” provided by tax policy research organization Tax Foundation. These tax burdens do not include the federal taxes paid by all Americans regardless of state.
According to the report, tax burdens in the 2012 tax season were as low as 6.5% in Alaska and as high as 12.7% in New York.
Click here to see the states where Americans are paying the most taxes.
Click here to see our detailed findings and methodology.
In addition to federal, state, and local taxes, Americans pay taxes to other states. Out-of-state visitors pay sales taxes as tourists, investors pay capital gains taxes on investments in other states, and drivers filling up at gas stations in other states pay those states’ excise taxes. For this reason, the tax burden is not always a perfect reflection of taxes collected.
Approximately 78% of taxes Americans pay go to their own state and local governments. The variation in tax burden between states is due largely to differences in each state’s tax code. High tax states tend to collect more taxes and at higher rates.
While most states tend to collect income, property, and sales taxes among several others, not all states collect all taxes and not at the same rate. High tax burden states collect more taxes and at higher rates, while lower burden states collect less taxes and at lower rates.
For example, in the 10 highest burden states, individual income tax collections per capita in fiscal 2015 exceeded the national average of $967. By contrast, five of the 10 states with the lowest tax burden collect no income tax. Similarly, property taxes tend to exceed the national average in high burden states, while they tend to be lower in states at the other end of the tax burden spectrum.
1. Alaska
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 6.5%
> Income per capita: $55,646 (8th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,639 (4th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
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2. Wyoming
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 7.1%
> Income per capita: $55,116 (9th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,109 (9th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,384 (5th highest)
3. South Dakota
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 7.1%
> Income per capita: $47,834 (22nd highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,301 (24th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,131 (9th highest)
4. Tennessee
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 7.3%
> Income per capita: $43,326 (18th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $46 (8th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $830 (7th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $992 (18th highest)
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5. Louisiana
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 7.6%
> Income per capita: $42,298 (13th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $639 (12th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $839 (8th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $627 (12th lowest)
6. Texas
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 7.6%
> Income per capita: $46,274 (25th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,635 (14th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,226 (6th highest)
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7. New Hampshire
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 7.9%
> Income per capita: $55,954 (7th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $72 (9th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,861 (2nd highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
8. Nevada
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.1%
> Income per capita: $43,567 (19th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $953 (13th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,412 (4th highest)
9. South Carolina
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.4%
> Income per capita: $39,517 (7th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $764 (16th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,080 (19th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $729 (19th lowest)
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10. Oklahoma
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.6%
> Income per capita: $42,692 (14th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $832 (20th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $623 (2nd lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $686 (16th lowest)
11. Mississippi
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.6%
> Income per capita: $35,484 (the lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $596 (11th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $916 (10th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,144 (7th highest)
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12. New Mexico
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.7%
> Income per capita: $38,474 (3rd lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $662 (13th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $731 (4th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,082 (11th highest)
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13. Montana
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.7%
> Income per capita: $42,947 (16th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,143 (18th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,465 (17th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
14. Alabama
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.7%
> Income per capita: $38,896 (4th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $687 (14th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $522 (the lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $507 (7th lowest)
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15. Arizona
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.8%
> Income per capita: $40,415 (9th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $551 (10th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $986 (18th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $947 (22nd highest)
16. Florida
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.9%
> Income per capita: $45,953 (24th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,184 (22nd lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,075 (12th highest)
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17. Colorado
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 8.9%
> Income per capita: $51,999 (14th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,168 (15th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,365 (23rd highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $516 (9th lowest)
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18. North Dakota
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.0%
> Income per capita: $54,627 (10th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $709 (15th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,121 (21st lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,835 (2nd highest)
19. Georgia
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.1%
> Income per capita: $42,159 (11th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $947 (25th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,087 (20th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $515 (8th lowest)
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20. Nebraska
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.2%
> Income per capita: $50,029 (19th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,181 (14th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,757 (12th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $943 (23rd highest)
21. Iowa
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.2%
> Income per capita: $46,000 (25th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,111 (21st highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,525 (15th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $973 (20th highest)
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22. Idaho
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.3%
> Income per capita: $39,470 (6th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $893 (22nd lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $928 (11th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $885 (25th lowest)
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23. Virginia
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.3%
> Income per capita: $52,957 (12th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,420 (8th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,457 (18th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $452 (6th lowest)
24. Washington
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.3%
> Income per capita: $54,579 (11th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,364 (24th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,746 (3rd highest)
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25. Missouri
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.3%
> Income per capita: $42,926 (15th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $963 (24th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $960 (14th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $556 (10th lowest)
26. Michigan
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.4%
> Income per capita: $44,253 (21st lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $889 (21st lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,335 (25th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $928 (24th highest)
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27. Indiana
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.5%
> Income per capita: $43,097 (17th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $791 (19th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $970 (16th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,100 (10th highest)
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28. Kansas
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.5%
> Income per capita: $47,228 (23rd highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $777 (18th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,435 (19th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,049 (14th highest)
29. Kentucky
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.5%
> Income per capita: $38,926 (5th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $920 (25th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $737 (5th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $738 (21st lowest)
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30. Utah
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.6%
> Income per capita: $40,925 (10th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,054 (22nd highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $969 (15th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $628 (13th lowest)
31. West Virginia
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.8%
> Income per capita: $36,624 (2nd lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,048 (23rd highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $852 (9th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $701 (18th lowest)
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32. Ohio
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.8%
> Income per capita: $44,593 (22nd lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $765 (17th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,203 (23rd lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,025 (15th highest)
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33. North Carolina
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 9.8%
> Income per capita: $42,244 (12th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,115 (20th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $951 (12th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $683 (15th lowest)
34. Arkansas
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.1%
> Income per capita: $39,722 (8th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $895 (23rd lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $675 (3rd lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,069 (13th highest)
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35. Maine
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.2%
> Income per capita: $44,053 (20th lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,153 (16th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,918 (11th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $963 (21st highest)
36. Pennsylvania
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.2%
> Income per capita: $50,742 (16th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $897 (24th lowest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,405 (21st highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $771 (22nd lowest)
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37. Hawaii
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.2%
> Income per capita: $50,363 (18th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,389 (10th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $980 (17th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $2,090 (the highest)
38. Delaware
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.2%
> Income per capita: $47,869 (21st highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,205 (13th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $828 (6th lowest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
39. Oregon
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.3%
> Income per capita: $45,399 (23rd lowest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,814 (6th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,350 (25th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $0 (tied — the lowest)
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40. Vermont
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.3%
> Income per capita: $49,984 (20th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,133 (19th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,339 (6th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $586 (11th lowest)
41. Massachusetts
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.3%
> Income per capita: $64,235 (2nd highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $2,133 (3rd highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,181 (8th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $854 (24th lowest)
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42. Minnesota
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.8%
> Income per capita: $52,038 (13th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,889 (5th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,411 (20th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $999 (17th highest)
43. Rhode Island
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.8%
> Income per capita: $50,427 (17th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,151 (17th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,307 (7th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $908 (25th highest)
44. Maryland
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 10.9%
> Income per capita: $58,052 (5th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,390 (9th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,491 (16th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $734 (20th lowest)
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45. Wisconsin
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 11.0%
> Income per capita: $46,762 (24th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,225 (12th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,657 (13th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $848 (23rd lowest)
46. Illinois
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 11.0%
> Income per capita: $51,817 (15th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,237 (11th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,007 (10th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $696 (17th lowest)
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47. California
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 11.0%
> Income per capita: $56,374 (6th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,991 (4th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $1,385 (22nd highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $983 (19th highest)
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48. New Jersey
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 12.2%
> Income per capita: $61,472 (3rd highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $1,479 (7th highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $3,065 (the highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,021 (16th highest)
49. Connecticut
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 12.6%
> Income per capita: $69,311 (the highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $2,279 (the highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,774 (3rd highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $1,137 (8th highest)
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50. New York
> Taxes paid as pct. of income: 12.7%
> Income per capita: $59,563 (4th highest)
> Income tax collections per capita: $2,208 (2nd highest)
> Property tax collections per capita: $2,581 (5th highest)
> General sales tax collections per capita: $662 (14th lowest)
A myriad of cultural, historical, and economic factors help explain the differences in state tax structures. At the root of a state’s tax system is what Tax Foundation experts characterize as a deal between residents and their governments.
“The level of services that citizens of a certain state want is a very personal decision to that state,” said Tax Foundation policy analyst Morgan Scarboro in an interview.
Scott Drenkard, director of state projects at the Tax Foundation, added, “There are some states that offer really high taxes and really great public services.”
Generally, states with lower-income residents tend to have lower tax burdens. Per capita income in all but three of the 15 states with the lowest tax burdens is lower than the average income nationwide. In contrast, the per-capita income in 12 of the 15 states with the highest tax burdens is greater than the national average of $49,246 a year. The three states with the highest tax burdens — Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York — have the highest, third highest, and fourth highest incomes per capita in the country.
To identify the states with the highest and lowest tax burdens, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed state and local tax burdens as a share of state residents’ income in fiscal 2012 provided by the Tax Foundation. Personal income per capita for each state is for 2016 and came from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. State individual income tax collections per capita are for fiscal 2015; state and local property tax collections per capita are for fiscal 2014; state general sales tax collections per capita are for fiscal 2015; and all came from the “Tax Foundation’s Facts & Figures 2017: How Does Your State Compare?” report. All data are for the most recent period available.
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