Here’s the Tax Burden on the Bottom 20% in Every State

The U.S. has a progressive income tax system. That doesn’t refer to any sort of political influence on the system. Instead, it means that tax rates are lower for people who earn less and rise as income rises — so, ideally, those who make more carry more of the tax burden.

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Currently, the federal income tax rates range from 10% to 37%. You fall into the lowest tax bracket for the 2021 filing year if you’re single and your income is $9,950 or less, or $19,900 or less if you’re married filing jointly. However, taxpayers in the lowest bracket typically don’t owe federal tax because their income is lower than the standard deduction.

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But that doesn’t mean that low-income households escape paying taxes altogether. Their income might be low but not low enough to avoid federal income taxes. Plus, state and local taxes can take a bite out of limited incomes.

Here's the tax burden on the bottom 20% in every state. 

Last updated: Aug. 3, 2021

1. Alabama

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $10,538
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,168
  • Tax burden: 11.08%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $908
  • Tax burden: 8.61%

Read More: How Much Your State Makes From Taxes

2. Alaska

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $18,977
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,095
  • Tax burden: 11.04%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $394
  • Tax burden: 2.09%

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3. Arizona

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,587
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,174
  • Tax burden: 8.64%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,039
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

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4. Arkansas

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $11,049
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,135
  • Tax burden: 10.28%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,031
  • Tax burden: 9.33%

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5. California

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $15,827
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,677
  • Tax burden: 10.59%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,279
  • Tax burden: 8.08%

6. Colorado

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $17,187
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,575
  • Tax burden: 14.98%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,111
  • Tax burden: 12.28%

7. Connecticut

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $16,569
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,298
  • Tax burden: 13.87%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,765
  • Tax burden: 10.65%

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8. Delaware

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $15,768
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,910
  • Tax burden: 12.11%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,438
  • Tax burden: 9.2%

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9. Florida

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,086
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,055
  • Tax burden: 8.06%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,001
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

10. Georgia

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $12,798
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,303
  • Tax burden: 10.18%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,161
  • Tax burden: 9.07%

11. Hawaii

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $17,980
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,672
  • Tax burden: 14.93%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,804
  • Tax burden: 10.04

12. Idaho

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,921
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,219
  • Tax burden: 8.75%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,065
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

13. Illinois

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,052
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,921
  • Tax burden: 13.67%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,771
  • Tax burden: 12.60%

14. Indiana

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,570
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,578
  • Tax burden: 11.63%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,476
  • Tax burden: 10.88%

15. Iowa

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,836
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,537
  • Tax burden: 10.36%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,145
  • Tax burden: 7.72%

16. Kansas

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,449
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,650
  • Tax burden: 11.42%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,320
  • Tax burden: 9.14%

17. Kentucky

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $10,912
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,248
  • Tax burden: 11.44%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,116
  • Tax burden: 10.22%

18. Louisiana

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $9,757
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $941
  • Tax burden: 9.65%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $941
  • Tax burden: 9.65%

19. Maine

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,702
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,239
  • Tax burden: 9.04%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,048
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

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20. Maryland

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $18,854
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,806
  • Tax burden: 14.88%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,067

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21. Massachusetts

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $15,520
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,260
  • Tax burden: 14.56%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,963
  • Tax burden: 12.65%

22. Michigan

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,156
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,626
  • Tax burden: 12.36%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,565
  • Tax burden: 11.9%

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23. Minnesota

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $17,300
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,060
  • Tax burden: 11.92%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,323
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

24. Mississippi

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $9,367
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $920
  • Tax burden: 9.81%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $830
  • Tax burden: 8.86%

25. Missouri

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,281
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,101
  • Tax burden: 8.29%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,016
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

26. Montana

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,337
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,277
  • Tax burden: 9.58%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,067
  • Tax burden: 8%

27. Nebraska

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $15,168
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,674
  • Tax burden: 11.04%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,189
  • Tax burden: 7.84%

28. Nevada

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,239
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,258
  • Tax burden: 8.84%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,089
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

29. New Hampshire

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $18,862
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $3,017
  • Tax burden: 16%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,386
  • Tax burden: 12.65%

30. New Jersey

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $16,981
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,980
  • Tax burden: 11.66%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,537
  • Tax burden: 9.05%

31. New Mexico

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $10,558
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $808
  • Tax burden: 7.65%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $808
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

32. New York

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,020
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,244
  • Tax burden: 9.55%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $996
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

33. North Carolina

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $12,761
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,103
  • Tax burden: 8.65%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $976
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

34. North Dakota

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,804
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,384
  • Tax burden: 9.35%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,133
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

35. Ohio

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $12,861
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,015
  • Tax burden: 7.89%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $984
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

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36. Oklahoma

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $12,268
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,059
  • Tax burden: 8.63%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $939
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

37. Oregon

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,622
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,185
  • Tax burden: 14.94%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,676
  • Tax burden: 11.46%

38. Pennsylvania

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,887
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,622
  • Tax burden: 11.68%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,488
  • Tax burden: 10.72%

39. Rhode Island

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $13,273
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,251
  • Tax burden: 9.53%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,015
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

40. South Carolina

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $11,736
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $898
  • Tax burden: 7.65%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $898
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

41. South Dakota

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,453
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,312
  • Tax burden: 9.02%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,113
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

42. Tennessee

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $12,221
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $935
  • Tax burden: 7.65%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $935
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

43. Texas

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,034
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,222
  • Tax burden: 8.71%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,074
  • Tax burden: 8.65%

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44. Utah

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $19,112
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $3,027
  • Tax burden: 15.84%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,334
  • Tax burden: 12.21%

45. Vermont

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $14,666
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,619
  • Tax burden: 11.04%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,201
  • Tax burden: 8.19%

46. Virginia

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $16,508
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $2,129
  • Tax burden: 12.9%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,508
  • Tax burden: 9.14%

47. Washington

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $17,314
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,801
  • Tax burden: 10.4%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,325
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

48. West Virginia

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $10,504
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,124
  • Tax burden: 10.7%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,124
  • Tax burden: 10.7%

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49. Wisconsin

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $15,311
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,617
  • Tax burden: 10.56%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,171
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

50. Wyoming

• Average income of the bottom 20%: $15,572
• Single filers:
  • Total income taxes paid: $1,493
  • Tax burden: 9.59%
• Married couples filing jointly:
  • Total income and sales taxes paid: $1,191
  • Tax burden: 7.65%

Minimum salary needed: $86,807

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Cameron Huddleston contributed to the reporting for this article. 

Methodology: In order to find the tax burden on the poorest 20% in every state, GOBankingRates first found each state's average household income for the lowest 20% of earners as sourced from the 2019 American Community Survey 5-year estimates conducted by the United States Census Bureau. Once this was found, GOBankingRates sourced the federal and state tax brackets from the Tax Foundation's 2021 data. GOBankingRates used an in-house income tax calculator to find the (1) total income taxes paid by the poorest 20% of each state and (2) the effective tax rate (tax burden) on each state's poorest 20%. GOBankingRates also found the Federal Insurance Contributions Act tax with its rate reported from Bloomberg. These calculations were done for a person filing their taxes as a single person and for a married couple filing jointly, using the standard deduction for each. All data was collected on and up to date as of Jan., 12 2021.

About the Author

Cameron Huddleston

Cameron Huddleston is an award-winning journalist with more than 18 years of experience writing about personal finance. Her work has appeared in Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, Business Insider, Chicago Tribune, Fortune, MSN, USA Today and many more print and online publications. She also is the author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations With Your Parents About Their Finances. U.S. News & World Report named her one of the top personal finance experts to follow on Twitter, and AOL Daily Finance named her one of the top 20 personal finance influencers to follow on Twitter. She has appeared on CNBC, CNN, MSNBC and “Fox & Friends” and has been a guest on ABC News Radio, Wall Street Journal Radio, NPR, WTOP in Washington, D.C., KGO in San Francisco and other personal finance radio shows nationwide. She also has been interviewed and quoted as an expert in The New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Forbes, MarketWatch and more. She has an MA in economic journalism from American University and BA in journalism and Russian studies from Washington & Lee University.

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