SACRAMENTO
– George Runner today highlighted a new report by the Tax Foundation
showing that the average Californian’s tax burden worsened in 2010.
“At
a time when Californians could least afford it, our state and local tax
burden was among the highest in the nation,” said Runner. “This new
report provides further proof that by every measure Californians are
overtaxed.”
The Tax Foundation’s Annual State-Local Tax Burden Ranking
estimates the average total tax burden for residents of each state.
This method takes the point of view of the individual taxpayer, counting
all taxes he or she pays, no matter to which state they are paid.
According
to the report, Californians paid 11.2% of their income in state and
local taxes in 2010—the fourth highest tax burden of any state. Only
residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut paid more.
In
2010 the average California resident earned $43,919 but paid $4,934 in
state and local taxes—$3,953 to state and local government in California
and $981 to governments in other states.
Runner
hopes that next year’s report will show some progress given the July 1,
2011 expiration of California’s temporary tax increases. But he also
cautioned that future tax burdens remain uncertain.
“Sacramento
politicians are always scheming up new and creative ways to take more
of your hard-earned dollars,” warned Runner. “Taxpayers must remain
vigilant, knowing that jobs, not higher taxes, are the best way to
ensure our state’s prosperity.”
The full study is available at www.taxfoundation.org.
