Taxes by State [Updated December 2022]

A tax is a compulsory financial charge or some other type of levy imposed upon a taxpayer by a governmental organization. Taxes fund several public expenditures, such as roads, public transportation, education, and others. When expenditures exceed tax revenue, the government goes into debt. Taxes have two effects: an income effect because they reduce purchasing power to taxpayers (income tax) and a substitution effect when taxes cause a substitution between taxed goods and untaxed goods (sales tax).

Federal income tax is the tax levied by the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the earnings of individuals and legal entities. However, most states collect state income and sales taxes in addition to the federal income tax. State taxes are given little attention compared to federal income taxes.

Income Tax by State

States take one of three approaches when it comes to state income taxes: the state does not collect income tax, the state imposes a flat tax, taxing all income (or only dividends and interest) at the same rate, or the state imposes a progressive tax which taxes higher income at higher rates.

Seven states do not collect a state income tax. While these states do not have an income tax, other taxes, such as property or sales taxes, could be higher in these states. The states are Alaska, Florida, Nevada, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Wyoming. New Hampshire collects income tax only on interest and dividends while Washington’s income tax only applies to capital gains income.

Other states have flat income tax rates. These states are Pennsylvania (3.07%), Indiana (3.15%), Michigan (4.25%), Colorado (4.4%), Kentucky (4.5%) North Carolina (4.75%), Utah (4.85%), Illinois (4.95%), And Massachusetts (5.0%). Massachusetts has an additional 4% tax for those earning over $1 million.

The remaining states and the District of Columbia have state income tax brackets. The higher an individual’s income, the higher the tax bracket he/she will be placed into. California has the highest potential state income tax bracket of 13.3%.

Sales Tax by State

Montana, Delaware, Oregon, and New Hampshire have no sales tax. Alaska has no statewide sales tax, but local municipalities can add up to 1.76% sales tax for purchases made within their jurisdictions.

Eight states and the District of Columbia have a sales tax but do not allow local municipalities to add to it. These states are Maine (5.5%), Maryland (6%), the District of Columbia (6%), Michigan (6%), Kentucky (6%), Massachusetts (6.25%), Connecticut (6.35%), Rhode Island (7%), and Indiana (7%).

All other states have a statewide sales tax of 2-7%. Counties and cities can add to these. The individual states determine the percentage that local jurisdictions can add.

Property Tax by State

Each state also charges property tax. Property tax rates are determined at the state level, so these amounts also vary.

The lowest annual property tax in the country is found in Hawaii, where the property tax is about $281 per year. The majority of states have a property tax of between $300 and $1,000. Only four states have average property taxes above $2,000 a year. In New Hampshire ($2,129), Connecticut ($2,133), Illinois ($2,241), and New Jersey ($2,471), residents can expect to pay high property taxes.