ITEP's Research Priorities
Poorest 20 Percent Pays a 50 Percent Higher Effective State and Local Tax Rate than the Top 1 Percent
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
A comprehensive 50-state study released today by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) finds that most state and local tax systems tax low- and middle-income households at significantly higher rates than wealthy taxpayers, with the lowest-income households paying an average of 50 percent more of their income in taxes than the very rich.
New Report Finds that Upside-down State and Local Tax Systems Persist, Contributing to Inequality in Most States
October 17, 2018 • By Aidan Davis
State and local tax systems in 45 states worsen income inequality by making incomes more unequal after taxes. The worst among these are identified in ITEP’s Terrible 10. Washington, Texas, Florida, South Dakota, Nevada, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Oklahoma, and Wyoming hold the dubious honor of having the most regressive state and local tax systems in the nation. These states ask far more of their lower- and middle-income residents than of their wealthiest taxpayers.
Low Tax for Whom? Texas is a “Low Tax State” Overall, But Not for Families Living in Poverty
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
Texas’s tax system has vastly different impacts on taxpayers at different income levels. For instance, the lowest-income 20 percent of Texans contribute 13 percent of their income in state and local taxes — considerably more than any other income group in the state. For low-income families, Texas is far from being a low tax state; in fact, it is tied with Arizona as the sixth highest-tax state in the country for low-income families.
Low Tax for Whom? Washington is a “Low Tax State” Overall, But Not for Families Living in Poverty
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
Washington’s tax system has vastly different impacts on taxpayers at different income levels. For instance, the lowest-income 20 percent of Washingtonians contribute 17.8 percent of their income in state and local taxes — considerably more than any other income group in the state. For low-income families, Washington is far from being a low tax state; in fact, it is the highest-tax state in the country for low-income families.
Low Tax for Whom? Arizona is a “Low Tax State” Overall, But Not for Families Living in Poverty
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
Arizona’s tax system has vastly different impacts on taxpayers at different income levels. For instance, the lowest-income 20 percent of Arizonans contribute 13 percent of their income in state and local taxes — considerably more than any other income group in the state. For low-income families, Arizona is far from being a low tax state; in fact, it is tied with Texas as the sixth highest-tax state in the country for low-income families.
Low-Tax States Are Often High-Tax for the Poor
October 17, 2018 • By Carl Davis
ITEP analysis reveals that many states traditionally considered to be “low-tax states” are actually high-tax for their poorest residents. The “low tax” label is typically assigned to states that either lack a personal income tax or that collect a comparatively low amount of tax revenue overall. But a focus on these measures can cause lawmakers to overlook the fact that state tax systems impact different taxpayers in very different ways, and that low-income taxpayers often do not experience these states as being even remotely “low tax.”
Low Tax for Whom? Indiana is a “Low Tax State” Overall, But Not for Families Living in Poverty
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
Indiana’s tax system has vastly different impacts on taxpayers at different income levels. For instance, the lowest-income 20 percent of Hoosiers contribute 12.8 percent of their income in state and local taxes — considerably more than any other income group in the state. For low-income families, Indiana is far from being a low tax state; in fact, it is the eighth highest-tax state in the country for low-income families.
Low Tax for Whom? Oklahoma is a “Low Tax State” Overall, But Not for Families Living in Poverty
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
Oklahoma’s tax system has vastly different impacts on taxpayers at different income levels. For instance, the lowest-income 20 percent of Oklahomans contribute 13.2 percent of their income in state and local taxes — considerably more than any other income group in the state. For low-income families, Oklahoma is far from being a low tax state; in fact, it is the fifth highest-tax state in the country for low-income families.
Low Tax for Whom? Florida is a “Low Tax State” Overall, But Not for Families Living in Poverty
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
Florida’s tax system has vastly different impacts on taxpayers at different income levels. For instance, the lowest-income 20 percent of Floridians contribute 12.7 percent of their income in state and local taxes — considerably more than any other income group in the state. For low-income families, Florida is far from being a low tax state; in fact, it is the ninth highest-tax state in the country for low-income families.
West Virginia: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
According to ITEP’s Tax Inequality Index, which measures the impact of each state’s tax system on income inequality, West Virginia has the 37th most unfair state and local tax system in the country. Incomes are more unequal in West Virginia after state and local taxes are collected than before.
District of Columbia: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
According to ITEP’s Tax Inequality Index, the District of Columbia’s local tax system does not worsen income inequality and ranks 50th on the index. The large income gap between lower- and middle-income taxpayers, as compared to the wealthy, is somewhat narrower after state and local taxes than before.
Rhode Island: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
According to ITEP’s Tax Inequality Index, which measures the impact of each state’s tax system on income inequality, Rhode Island has the 32nd most unfair state and local tax system in the country. Incomes are more unequal in Rhode Island after state and local taxes are collected than before.
Colorado: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
COLORADO Read as PDF COLORADO STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $22,000 $22,000 to $40,800 $40,800 to $65,800 $65,800 to $113,600 $113,600 to $246,000 $246,000 to $605,500 over $605,500 […]
North Dakota: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
NORTH DAKOTA Read as PDF NORTH DAKOTA STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $27,800 $27,800 to $43,600 $43,600 to $66,900 $66,900 to $117,600 $117,600 to $245,300 $245,300 to $639,900 […]
District of Columbia: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA Read as PDF DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 5% Top 1% Income Range Less than $23,600 $23,600 to $44,200 $44,200 to $70,700 $70,700 to $122,300 $122,300 to $304,000 $304,000 to $919,300 […]
Georgia: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
GEORGIA Read as PDF GEORGIA STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $19,600 $19,600 to $31,100 $31,100 to $51,500 $51,500 to $89,500 $89,500 to $205,000 $205,000 to $481,200 over $481,200 […]
Missouri: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
MISSOURI Read as PDF MISSOURI STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $17,800 $17,800 to $34,100 $34,100 to $55,200 $55,200 to $93,100 $93,100 to $187,300 $187,300 to $447,300 over $447,300 […]
Arizona: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
ARIZONA Read as PDF ARIZONA STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $17,900 $17,900 to $35,300 $35,300 to $55,000 $55,000 to $96,400 $96,400 to $189,900 $189,900 to $424,300 over $424,300 […]
Illinois: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
ILLINOIS Read as PDF ILLINOIS STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $21,800 $21,800 to $40,800 $40,800 to $63,800 $63,800 to $109,500 $109,500 to $231,500 $231,500 to $537,400 over $537,400 […]
Delaware: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
DELAWARE Read as PDF DELAWARE STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $19,500 $19,500 to $34,700 $34,700 to $59,200 $59,200 to $100,000 $100,000 to $197,400 $197,400 to $444,900 over $444,900 […]
Tennessee: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
TENNESSEE Read as PDF TENNESSEE STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $18,300 $18,300 to $31,800 $31,800 to $51,300 $51,300 to $87,500 $87,500 to $189,300 $189,300 to $471,200 over $471,200 […]
New Hampshire: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
According to ITEP’s Tax Inequality Index, New Hampshire has the 16th most unfair state and local tax system in the country. Incomes are more unequal in New Hampshire after state and local taxes are collected than before.
Florida: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
FLORIDA Read as PDF FLORIDA STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $18,700 $18,700 to $31,400 $31,400 to $49,500 $49,500 to $86,800 $86,800 to $197,700 $197,700 to $548,700 over $548,700 […]
Alabama: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
ALABAMA Read as PDF ALABAMA STATE AND LOCAL TAXES Taxes as Share of Family Income Top 20% Income Group Lowest 20% Second 20% Middle 20% Fourth 20% Next 15% Next 4% Top 1% Income Range Less than $18,600 $18,600 – $32,000 $32,000 – $50,900 $50,900 – $86,100 $86,100 – $171,300 $171,300 – $448,000 More than […]
Oklahoma: Who Pays? 6th Edition
October 17, 2018 • By ITEP Staff
According to ITEP’s Tax Inequality Index, which measures the impact of each state’s tax system on income inequality, Oklahoma has the 9th most unfair state and local tax system in the country. Incomes are more unequal in Oklahoma after state and local taxes are collected than before.
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