SACRAMENTO
– George Runner today announced that California motorists paid a record
$8.3 billion in state and local fuel taxes during the 2011-12 fiscal
year.
“Our
latest numbers show that high gas prices resulted in a record windfall
for government at the expense of California consumers,” said Runner.
“It’s bad enough that California’s gas tax is among the highest in the
nation. It’s even worse that gas tax goes up whenever gas prices rise.”
From
July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012, the California State Board of
Equalization collected $6.9 billion in motor vehicle fuel taxes, up from
$6.7 billion the prior year. Excise tax revenues accounted for $5.2
billion, while sales tax revenues accounted for $1.7 billion.
Over
the same time period, the state collected $1.4 billion in diesel fuel
taxes, up from $1.2 billion the prior year. Excise tax revenues
accounted for $343 million, while sales tax revenues accounted for $1.1
billion.
“What’s
particularly concerning about these numbers is that they would have
been even higher had the Governor been successful in extending the
higher sales tax,” noted Runner.
Had
the 1% temporary sales tax not expired on July 1, 2011, Californians
would have paid an additional $96 million in diesel tax last fiscal
year. Furthermore, California’s 2010 fuel tax swap law would have
required a larger motor vehicle fuel excise tax rate increase, costing
Californians more than half a billion dollars extra in the 2012-13
fiscal year.
According to the American Petroleum Institute,
California's gasoline taxes and fees, averaging 68.9 cents per gallon,
and California’s diesel taxes and fees, averaging 77.1 cents per gallon,
both rank second highest in the nation.
Among
these taxes and fees are a federal excise tax of 18.4 cents per gallon,
a state excise tax of 36.0 cents per gallon (up from 35.7 cents
effective July 1) and a sales tax averaging 3.12% when local taxes are
included. Notably, the sales tax is calculated on the total price of the
fuel sale including excise taxes, resulting in double
taxation—California consumers pay a tax on a tax.
For
diesel, the federal excise tax is 24.4 cents per gallon, the state
excise tax is 10 cents per gallon (down from 13 cents effective July 1)
and the sales tax is 9.42% (up from 9.12%) plus applicable local taxes.
Elected
in November 2010, George Runner represents more than nine million
Californians as a member of the State Board of Equalization. The Board
administers the motor vehicle fuel tax, diesel tax and 32 other tax and
fee programs. For more information, visit www.boe.ca.gov/Runner.