New Survey of State Taxes

April 15 is fast approaching, but while the Internal Revenue Service awaits our tax returns, the U.S. Census Bureau released this week a gem of statistical data for anyone interested in state taxation or budget issues. The 2012 Annual Survey of State Government Tax Collections has a wealth of information on many types of state taxes and license fees imposed by the 50 states, including income, property, sales, and excise taxes. It breaks down the nearly $800 billion collected in FY2012, a record high total, by state and detailed tax categories. The Census Bureau web site is home to the official announcement of the Survey's release, a brief Summary Report, pages of detailed data for every state, and a ranking of the states by their total tax collections, as well as related surveys.  If you need reliable current data on state tax categories and revenues for research or personal interest, begin with the Census Bureau's Annual Survey.   

Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat

Taxing matters

Yes, for those procrastinators in the audience, it is that time of year - time to file your taxes.

If you still need forms, they are easily found online - at IRS.gov for federal taxes and NY Dept of Taxation for New York.   You can get other states' tax forms online as well.

 If you meet certain criteria, you can file online at IRS.gov for free.  You may even be eligible to use free tax filing software if your income is below $57,000 .

And, believe it or not, there are some who see taxes as a good thing.  Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes famously said  "Taxes are what we pay for civilized society" (275 U.S. 87,100) (an alternate phrasing can be found above the IRS building entrance).  For a brief history of the perception of paying taxes, see the N.Y. Times Op Ed "When We  Loved Form 1040" by a Duke law professor.


Ernster, the Virtual Library Cat