Mass is 40th in tax burden

[Killarney]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=564&ncid=564&e=2&u=/nm/20040909/ts_nm/economy_states_taxes_dc
New Yorkers pay the highest state and local taxes in the nation, shelling out nearly $131 for every $1,000 of income in 2002, according to a new study.

Tennessee taxed its citizens the least -- they paid just under $84 for every $1,000 of income.

Massachusetts, ridiculed in the 1980s as "Taxachusetts" fell to 40th in 2002, as its residents only paid $96 in taxes for every $1,000 of income, according to a Boston-based business group.

[dumpster_baby]

1. Article is written from a rightwing, investor perspective

I rated it low--a "1".

High and progressive income taxes are good!

[Beer Snob-50]

2. Property Taxes

Property taxes, which can bedevil homeowners, were highest in Maine, at nearly $55 for every $1,000 of income. New Hampshire came in second at just over $51, trailed by New Jersey, where the levy topped $48.


This is misleading as New Hampshire makes up for this by having no sales tax.

[stryker18]

3. So much for "Taxachusetts."

[Kat45]

4. And people still call us "Taxachusetts" !

Mass, and Boston, are STILL being judged and categorized by things that happened in the '70s and '80s. Examples:

The "Taxachusetts" one you just cited, from the '80s

The state, and Boston itself, are thought of as being wildly liberal--because we voted for George McGovern in 1972!

Boston is considered a highly racist city--because of busing in the seventies! (I'm not saying racism has disappeared, but it's not what it was, and I don't think this city should be the poster child for racism.

[skippysmom]

5. I believe it

My property taxes are much lower than they'd be if we lived near our families in NY or CT. Income taxes are fairly reasonable. Sales tax is only 5%, and you don't pay it on clothes.