Connecticut has the distinction of being one of just three states in the nation with a tax burden higher than 12 percent. Connecticut has ranked third for seven years in a row.
Since 2005, New York, New Jersey and Connecticut have occupied the top three spots in the Tax Foundation’s annual ranking of state and local taxes. The most recent data was compiled from the fiscal year 2010.
Resource-rich states typically fared the best on the list, as Alaska had the lowest tax burden by shifting taxes to non-residents.
“Resource-rich states, such as Alaska and Wyoming, are only the most dramatic examples of tax exporting,” said Tax Foundation economist Elizabeth Malm, in a written statement. “Major tourist destinations like Nevada and Florida are able to lower residents’ burden by taxing tourists, who are often nonresidents. Nationwide, over a quarter of all state and local taxes are collected from nonresidents.”
Although Connecticut has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country, a report from earlier this year states Connecticut actually ranks 31st because - unlike many other states - there is no local sales tax.
New England States Ranking Tax Burden Connecticut 3 12.3 percent Rhode Island 6 10.6 percent Massachusetts 8 10.4 percent Maine 9 10.3 percent Vermont 13 10.1 percent New Hampshire 44 8.1.