Research Areas
Wyoming
The Facts on Wyoming's Tax Climate
Here are some basic facts on Wyoming's tax system and how it compares to other states:
Tax Freedom Day Arrives on April 13 in Wyoming
Tax Freedom Day is the day when Americans finally have earned enough money to pay off their total tax bill for the year. In 2011, Wyoming taxpayers work until April 13 to pay their total tax bill, ranking it 11th highest in the nation. This is 1 day after the national Tax Freedom Day (April 12). The Tax Freedom Days of neighboring states are: Montana, April 5 (ranked 31st nationally); South Dakota, March 30 (ranked 46th nationally); Nebraska, April 12 (ranked 15th nationally); Colorado, April 8 (ranked 24th nationally); Utah, April 10 (ranked 19th nationally); and Idaho, April 3 (ranked 36th nationally).
Full study of Tax Freedom Day, nationwide and in each state
Wyoming's State and Local Tax Burden Fourth-Lowest in Nation
Wyoming state and local tax burden is currently estimated at 7.8% of income (46th nationally), below the national average of 9.8%. Compared to the 1977 data, Wyoming had a tax burden of 7.8% (49th nationally), remaining relatively constant. Currently Wyoming taxpayers pay $4,205 per capita in state and local taxes.
Wyoming's State-Local Tax Burden, 1977-Present
Other States' State/Local Tax Burdens
Map of U.S. Showing all State's Burdens and Ranks
Historical Chart Comparing All States' State/Local Tax Burdens from 1977 to 2009
Wyoming's 2012 Business Tax Climate Ranks First in Nation
Wyoming ranks 1st in the Tax Foundation's State Business Tax Climate Index. The Index compares the states in five areas of taxation that impact business: corporate taxes; individual income taxes; sales taxes; unemployment insurance taxes; and taxes on property, including residential and commercial property. Neighboring states rank as follows: Montana (8th), South Dakota (2nd), Nebraska (30th), Colorado (16th), Utah (10th), and Idaho (21st).
50-State Comparison of Business Tax Climates (data only)
2012 State Business Tax Climate Index, Ninth Edition (full study)
Wyoming Levies No Personal Income Taxes
Wyoming levies no individual income taxes, joining six other states with the same policy. This makes the tax environment in Wyoming very competitive compared to other states.
50-State Table of Individual Income Tax Rates
50-State Table of State Individual Income Tax Collections
50-State Table of State and Local Individual Income Tax Collections Per Capita
Wyoming Levies No Corporate Income Taxes
Wyoming, in addition to collecting no personal income taxes, collects no corporate income taxes. Only four other states (Nevada, Texas, South Dakota and Washington) join Wyoming in levying neither income tax.
50-State Table of Corporate Income Tax Rates, 2000-2009
50-State Table of State and Local Corporate Income Tax Collections Per Capita and Per Household, 2005
50-State Table of State Corporate Income Tax Collections Per Capita, 2006
Wyoming Sales and Excise Taxes
Wyoming levies a 4% general sales or use tax on consumers, which is below the national median of 5.85%. In 2007 combined state and local general and selective sales tax collections were $2,069 per person, which ranks 5th highest nationally. Wyoming's gasoline tax stands at $0.14 per gallon, which ranks 48th highest nationally. Wyoming's cigarette tax stands at 60 cents per pack of twenty and ranks 39th highest nationally. The sales tax was adopted in 1947, the gasoline tax in 1935 and the cigarette tax in 1923.
50-state table of sales, cigarette, gas, beer, wine, and spirits tax rates
50-State Table of State and Local General and Selective Sales Tax Collections Per Capita
Wyoming Property Taxes: Among the Nation's Highest
Wyoming is one of the 37 states that collect property taxes at both the state and local levels. As in most states, local governments collect far more revenue. Wyoming's localities collected $1,505.12 per capita in property taxes in fiscal year 2006, which is the latest year the Census Bureau published state-by-state property tax collections. At the state level, Wyoming collected $427.56 per capita during FY 2006, making its combined state/local property taxes $1,932.68, which ranks 4th highest nationally.
State and local property tax collections per capita by state
Federal Tax Burdens and Expenditures: Wyoming is a Beneficiary State
Wyoming taxpayers receive more federal funding per dollar of federal taxes paid compared to the average state. Per dollar of Federal tax collected in 2005, Wyoming citizens received approximately $1.11 in the way of federal spending. This ranks the state 23rd highest nationally and represents a slight rise from 1995, when Wyoming received $1.08 per dollar of taxes in federal spending (23rd highest). Neighboring states and the amount of federal spending received per dollar of federal taxes collected were: Montana ($1.47), South Dakota ($1.53), Nebraska ($1.10), Colorado ($0.81), Utah ($1.07), and Idaho ($1.21).
Comparing the amount of federal taxes sent to Washington with the amount of federal spending coming back to the state
