OCEANSIDE, Calif. (Press Release) — South Dakota ranks #3 for lowest dollar-for-dollar tax burden ($2,112) and #5 for effective tax rate (5.18%) in HireAHelper’s ‘True Tax Burden’ study. To calculate the rankings, HireAHelper surveyed mean wage data, state income taxes, sales taxes (state/local), and property taxes to estimate the ‘true’ tax burden for a typical resident in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia.
“Investigating state and local taxes is an important step in a resident’s decision of whether to move — or where. When comparing possible moving destinations, these tax expenses should be given the same consideration as the local job market and wages, costs of living, and school zones,” said lead researcher Elyssa Kirkham.
The study also found that where you live could cost you up to $7,760 per year in additional local taxes. That’s the difference between the highest estimated state and local taxes in the District of Columbia, at $9,730, and Tennessee with $1,970. A move from neighboring Minnesota to South Dakota may yield a savings of $3,059.
“There are 50 states (plus D.C.) and each has its own local tax code, not to mention local and municipal taxes — and each is unique. On top of the three types of taxes we looked at (income, property and sales taxes), you might also face taxes at the gas pump or corporate and vendor taxes if you run a business. So if you move to a different state or even another city, you should expect it to affect the taxes you pay,” said Kirkham.
Here are the top 10 states with the lowest dollar-for-dollar tax burdens:
- Tennessee: $1,970
- Nevada: $2,002
- South Dakota: $2,112
- Florida: $2,131
- Alaska: $2,274
- North Dakota: $2,617
- Texas: $2,859
- Washington: $2,886
- Louisiana: $3,027
- Wyoming: $3,095
Here are the top 10 states with the lowest ‘effective tax rate’:
- Alaska: 3.94%
- Nevada: 4.45%
- Tennessee: 4.52%
- Florida: 4.76%
- Washington: 5.02%
- South Dakota: 5.18%
- North Dakota: 5.44%
- Texas: 5.87%
- New Hampshire: 6.10%
- Delaware: 6.11%
View The Full Findings Here: Moving Interstate Could Save (Or Add) Up to $7,700 On Your State Tax Bill
Methodology
HireAHelper surveyed state income taxes, state and local sales taxes, and property taxes in all 50 states and the District of Columbia to estimate the total tax burden for a typical resident. State income taxes were calculated based on each state’s mean wage data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2017 National Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates, using SmartAsset’s income tax calculator. Sales taxes were calculated based on average combined and local sales taxes 27.5%