These 7 states have the highest tax burdens in America
Where you live is a huge factor in how much you pay in taxes each year
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It's tax season — which means how much we pay Uncle Sam is on everyone's minds. But some states have significantly greater tax burdens than others.
WalletHub set out to find the states with the highest tax burdens, considering the share of total personal income residents cough up in local and state taxes. It looked at all 50 states across three categories: property taxes, individual income taxes, and sales and excise taxes.
“It’s easy to be dismayed at tax time when you see just how much of your income you lose," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo. "Living in a state with a low tax burden can alleviate some of that stress. Some states charge no income tax or no sales tax, although all states have some form of property taxes and excise taxes.”
Continue reading to see the seven states with the highest tax burdens.
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#7: Maryland — 9.7% total tax burden
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Maryland ranks seventh largely because of its individual income tax burden of 4.28%, the third-highest in the country. While its property and sales taxes are relatively modest, that heavy income tax is enough to push its overall burden into the top seven nationally.
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#6: Illinois — 9.92% total tax burden
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Illinois earns its spot thanks to fairly high taxes across categories. Its property tax burden of 3.75% is notably high, and its sales and excise taxes add another 3.77% on top of that, plus a 2.4% income tax.
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#5: Maine — 10.01% total tax burden
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Maine crosses the 10% threshold thanks to high property taxes at 3.95%. Its income and sales taxes are more moderate, but can't be offset by the property levies.
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#4: New Mexico — 10.75% total tax burden
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New Mexico's ranking is driven almost entirely by its sales and excise tax burden of 6.28%, the third highest of any state on this list. Its property and income taxes are comparably quite low.
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#3: Vermont — 11.1% total tax burden
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Vermont reaches number three on the back of the highest property tax in the country at 4.89%. Its income and sales taxes are more mid-range.
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#2: New York — 12.39% total tax burden
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New York is weighed down by high taxes across categories. Its individual income tax burden of 4.65% is the second highest in the country, and its property tax burden of 4.22% is the fourth highest.
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#1: Hawaii — 13.30% total tax burden
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Hawaii carries the highest total tax burden of all 50 states, thanks to one category: a sales and excise tax burden. It comes in at 7.48%, the steepest in the country. Hawaii's property tax is comparatively low, but its income tax ranks seventh at 3.2%, securing it the top spot overall.