What's the Matter with Washington State?

[hfojvt]

10. no, the state taxes are somewhat progressive

although often too flat.

But even in Kansas, at least for now, the income tax is fairly progressive. Here's my link to the state reports.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/hfojvt/159

In Kansas, with just the income tax, the bottom 20% pays a tax rate of minus .6% and the next 20% pays an income tax rate of just 1.4% whereas the top 1% pays 4.6%.

Washington has no state income tax. Neighboring Oregon, the bottom 20% pays 2.2% in income taxes, the next 20% pays 3.5% and the top 1% pays 6.5%. Even in conservative Idaho, the bottom 20% pays negative .8% in income taxes, the next 20% pays only 1% and the top 1% pays 5.1%. Idaho even "Provides an income tax credit to offset the impact of its sales tax on groceries" according to ITEP.

Now a state like Illinois, where the tax rate is far too flat, the bottom 20% pays 1.2%, the next 20% pays 1.9% and the top 1% pays only 2.6%.