[BPt111]

Every year, analysts compare the states across the country on a number of factors. They look at income tax, sales tax, gas tax, and so-called “sin” tax (the taxes on alcohol and cigarettes), along with tax requirements and more. For 2015, Kiplinger decided on the most and the least tax-friendly states to live in.



Top 10 Least Tax-Friendly States:

1. California
2. Connecticut
3. New Jersey
4. Hawaii
5. New York
6. Rhode Island
7. Vermont
8. Maine
9. Minnesota
10. Illinois

Top 10 Most Tax-Friendly States:

1. Delaware
2. Wyoming
3. Alaska
4. Louisiana
5. Alabama
6. Mississippi
7. Arizona
8. New Mexico
9. Nevada
10. South Carolina

State income tax: 3% (on income up to $10,000/individual, $20,000/joint) - 7.0% (on income above $500,000/individual, $1,000,000/joint)

State sales tax: 6.4% for most items; 7.8% for certain luxury items.

Gas taxes and fees: 41 cents per gallon
The Constitution State ranks so high because of its one-two punch of property taxes (fourth-highest in the nation) and gas taxes (fifth-highest).
The sales tax on vehicles valued at $50,000 or less is 6.4%; those over that amount are taxed at the 7.8% luxury rate. In addition, vehicles are subject to an annual levy set by individual municipalities. In Hartford, for example, the annual property levy for a vehicle valued at $20,000 is almost $1,500. However, legislation that will take effect next year will cap the rate municipalities can charge. In Hartford, the cap will lower motor vehicle taxes by more than 56%.
The median property tax on the state’s median home value of $267,000 is $5,280.
There are no local sales taxes in Connecticut, so you’ll pay only the statewide rate of 6.4% on your purchases. As of July 1, clothing and shoes under $50 are no longer exempt from the state sales tax. Luxury items, such as jewelry worth more than $5,000, are taxed at 7.8%, which means a $6,000 engagement ring would cost you $6,465. And if those baubles are a gift, keep in mind that Connecticut is also one of only two states with a gift tax (the other is Minnesota), which applies to real and tangible personal property in Connecticut and intangible personal property anywhere for permanent residents.

Read more at Least Tax-Friendly States in the U.S.-Kiplinger

[JayCT]

They do not mention that unlike most other states, Connecticut does not have a county level of government so there are no county taxes paid. It annoys me that these reporters do not take that into account when writing these articles. They look at state taxes and local taxes but leave out that significant detail in the overall tax picture. Jay

[Beeker2211]

Originally Posted by JayCT

They do not mention that unlike most other states, Connecticut does not have a county level of government so there are no county taxes paid. It annoys me that these reporters do not take that into account when writing these articles. They look at state taxes and local taxes but leave out that significant detail in the overall tax picture. Jay

Also lack of grocery tax. It gets huge quickly.

[EUPL]

Originally Posted by BPt111

Every year, analysts compare the states across the country on a number of factors. They look at income tax, sales tax, gas tax, and so-called “sin” tax (the taxes on alcohol and cigarettes), along with tax requirements and more. For 2015, Kiplinger decided on the most and the least tax-friendly states to live in.



Top 10 Least Tax-Friendly States:

1. California
2. Connecticut
3. New Jersey
4. Hawaii
5. New York
6. Rhode Island
7. Vermont
8. Maine
9. Minnesota
10. Illinois

Top 10 Most Tax-Friendly States:

1. Delaware
2. Wyoming
3. Alaska
4. Louisiana
5. Alabama
6. Mississippi
7. Arizona
8. New Mexico
9. Nevada
10. South Carolina

State income tax: 3% (on income up to $10,000/individual, $20,000/joint) - 7.0% (on income above $500,000/individual, $1,000,000/joint)

State sales tax: 6.4% for most items; 7.8% for certain luxury items.

Gas taxes and fees: 41 cents per gallon
The Constitution State ranks so high because of its one-two punch of property taxes (fourth-highest in the nation) and gas taxes (fifth-highest).
The sales tax on vehicles valued at $50,000 or less is 6.4%; those over that amount are taxed at the 7.8% luxury rate. In addition, vehicles are subject to an annual levy set by individual municipalities. In Hartford, for example, the annual property levy for a vehicle valued at $20,000 is almost $1,500. However, legislation that will take effect next year will cap the rate municipalities can charge. In Hartford, the cap will lower motor vehicle taxes by more than 56%.
The median property tax on the state’s median home value of $267,000 is $5,280.
There are no local sales taxes in Connecticut, so you’ll pay only the statewide rate of 6.4% on your purchases. As of July 1, clothing and shoes under $50 are no longer exempt from the state sales tax. Luxury items, such as jewelry worth more than $5,000, are taxed at 7.8%, which means a $6,000 engagement ring would cost you $6,465. And if those baubles are a gift, keep in mind that Connecticut is also one of only two states with a gift tax (the other is Minnesota), which applies to real and tangible personal property in Connecticut and intangible personal property anywhere for permanent residents.

Read more at Least Tax-Friendly States in the U.S.-Kiplinger

ugh one day we will make number one, never give up CT!

[JGBigGreen]

Connecticut does fare better when you factor local/county taxes in the sales tax burden:

State and Local Sales Tax Rates in 2015 | Tax Foundation

I suspect, though, once you factor back in the gas tax and our high property tax we are still one of the highest taxed states.

[Konig1985]

How can CT be worse than NY? are they joking?

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by Konig1985

How can CT be worse than NY? are they joking?

State income tax: 4% (on income up to $8,200/individual, $16,450/joint) - 8.8% (income more than $1,046,350/individual, $2,092,800/joint)

State sales tax: 4%

Gas taxes and fees: 46 cents (varies by county)
Local jurisdictions impose additional sales taxes ranging from 3% to 4.8%. That boosts the average combined state-local sales tax rate to 8.5%, the seventh-highest in the country. Food and prescription and nonprescription drugs are exempt from taxes, as are greens fees, health club memberships, and most arts and entertainment tickets in the Empire State.
The median property tax on the state's median home value of $277,600 is $4,559, the 11th-highest in the U.S., according to the Tax Foundation.
The tax on cigarettes is $4.35 per pack, the highest in the U.S. New York City tacks on an additional $1.50 per pack.

Read more at Least Tax-Friendly States in the U.S.-Kiplinger

[BPt111]

CT

The median property tax on the state’s median home value of $267,000 is $5,280. Let not forget about car taxes too.

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by JGBigGreen

Connecticut does fare better when you factor local/county taxes in the sales tax burden:

State and Local Sales Tax Rates in 2015 | Tax Foundation

I suspect, though, once you factor back in the gas tax and our high property tax we are still one of the highest taxed states.

But even the gas tax, they don't take into account that there are no tolls in Connecticut. They need to be looking at the overall burden not just select items. Jay

[JayCT]

Originally Posted by Konig1985

How can CT be worse than NY? are they joking?

Same for New Jersey. It definitely is higher there. Again they look at specific items and not the whole tax burden. Jay