[Vision2020] Tax Burden

[Ron Force]

The Idaho State Tax Commission does an annual report on comparative tax 
burden, comparing Idaho both nationally and regionally. The latest 
report is FY 2000 (published 2003). You can find it at:
http://www2.state.id.us/tax/tax_burden.htm

It doesn't cover 2001's reduction in corporate and individual income tax 
rates (which greatly benefitted businesses and upper-income individuals) 
and 2002's increase in the sales tax.

It has many charts and graphs, and takes a while to download in .pdf 
format. Here's the intro:

"TAX BURDEN IN IDAHO AND THE UNITED STATES – FISCAL YEAR 2000 IDAHO 
REVENUE SYSTEM - SUMMARY:
The Idaho revenue and taxation picture is typified by moderate overall 
taxes and a broad structure with good balance between tax components.
When observed on a regional basis, Idaho is in the somewhat unusual 
position of relying on three major taxes (income, sales, and 
property),as opposed to the systems hinged on only two taxes that are 
found in each of our border states except Utah. On the basis of taxes 
paid per person,the breadth of the Idaho system produces the effect of 
being moderate in
most specific tax types, while ranking our overall per capita tax burden 
39th highest nationally and 10th highest in the eleven western states.
Because of relatively low income in Idaho (with a rank of 42nd 
nationally and 8th out of 11 western states), however, our tax burden 
relative toincome is above the U.S. median at 20th nationally, and Idaho 
is 5th highest out of the 11 western states with respect to this 
measurement.
The Idaho tax system traditionally has tended to rely too little on 
property tax and sales tax, and comparatively too much on motor vehicle 
taxes and income taxes in relation to both regional and national 
practices. This year’s pattern shows increased reliance on corporate 
income tax. Similar overall patterns emerge using either income-based or
population-based comparisons; however our tax burden appears 
considerably lower when computed on a per capita basis."

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Ron Force			rforce@moscow.com
Moscow, ID USA
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