Study: Rhode Island taxes 13th-highest in the nation in 2010
January 31st, 2013 at 5:00 am by Ted Nesi under Nesi's Notes, On the Main Site
Rhode Islanders pay the 13th-highest state and local taxes in the country compared with their incomes, according to the latest analysis of Census data by the Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center.
The $6.9 billion in state and local taxes paid by Rhode Islanders in 2009-10 totaled 11.1% of their personal income, up slightly from 11.0% the prior year, the analysis shows. Just 12 other states took more of their residents’ income in state and local taxes, according to the group.
The national average was 10.6% of income, and Massachusetts ranked 25th at 10.2% of income, the analysis shows. Three other New England states – Maine, Vermont and Connecticut – took more of their residents’ incomes in taxes than Rhode Island did, while New Hampshire took the least.
The left-leaning Massachusetts think tank said it looks at taxes as a share of personal income rather than per capita because it “allows for a meaningful comparison among states.” Another group, the right-leaning Tax Foundation, ranks Rhode Island’s tax burden higher after making adjustments to the data.
• Related: Charts: Regressive RI taxes getting (slightly) more progressive (Jan. 30)
(chart: Massachusetts Budget and Policy Center modified by WPRI.com)
Tags: economics, economy, income, local government, massachusetts budget and policy center, municipal, public policy, state budget, state government, tax, taxes
Nesi's Notes covers politics and the economy in and around Rhode Island for WPRI.com. (Twitter: 
[...] Study: Rhode Island taxes 13th-highest in the nation in 2010 [...]
We moved to Maine in 2011. Because RU eliminated itemizing deductions our Maine tax rate actually = what we paid in RI, each for half the year. So, the whole thing is a sham esp when you add on the car taxes which are laughable and the property taxes which will get slammed when Chafee bends before the unions again. My point is you are 13th but its fat worse than that when you add in the other tax loads