May 14, 2006
Wall Street Journal -- Before Switching States, Check the Tax Climate
The Tax Foundation in Washington, D.C., has looked at the percentage of the average individual's income that goes to state and local taxes.
By its tally, the 10 states with the lowest tax burdens are: Alaska, where 6.6% of income goes to state and local taxes; New Hampshire, 7.3%; Delaware, 8.4%; Tennessee, 8.6%; Alabama, 8.8%; South Dakota, 9.2%; Texas, 9.4%; Nevada, 9.5%; Montana, 9.5%; and Virginia, 9.5%. Florida comes in 12th, at 9.7%.
The 10 jurisdictions with the heaviest burden include: Maine, ranking No. 1 with a state and local tax burden of 13.5%, followed by New York State, 12.9%; Washington, D.C., 12.8%; Ohio, 12.0%; Minnesota, 11.9%; Hawaii, 11.7%; Nebraska and Wisconsin, both 11.6%; Rhode Island, 11.5%; Connecticut, 11.3%; and Vermont 11.1%.
