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

Pueblo, Colorado, USA - October 29, 2011: An old fashioned horse drawn carriage filled with kids and driven by a cowboy rolls onto North Union Ave.
Pueblo, Colorado, USA - October 29, 2011: An old fashioned horse drawn carriage filled with kids and driven by a cowboy rolls onto North Union Ave.

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.Exclusive: Americans’ Savings Drop to Lowest Point in YearsCurrently, 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.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: March 1, 2021

Mobile, Alabama, USA - February 24, 2014: Almost empty Dauphin street in historic district is ready for Mardi Gras celebrations in the evening.
Mobile, Alabama, USA - February 24, 2014: Almost empty Dauphin street in historic district is ready for Mardi Gras celebrations in the evening.

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

Ketchikan, Alaska.
Ketchikan, Alaska.

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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Cityscape skyline view of office buildings and apartment condominiums in downtown Phoenix Arizona USA.
Cityscape skyline view of office buildings and apartment condominiums in downtown Phoenix Arizona USA.

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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Fayetteville Arkansas
Fayetteville Arkansas

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%
Don’t Forget: The 6 Most Important Tax Deductions You Need to Claim

La Quinta Downtown California Coachella Valley.
La Quinta Downtown California Coachella Valley.

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%
Find Out: How Do Your Stimulus Payments Affect Your Taxes?

Larimer street is a tourism highlight and worth a visit during the night time.
Larimer street is a tourism highlight and worth a visit during the night time.

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%
Learn More: Never Got Your Stimulus Check? Claim It on Your Taxes

Bridgeport is a historic seaport city in the U.
Bridgeport is a historic seaport city in the U.

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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Wilmington Delaware skyline
Wilmington Delaware skyline

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%
Read More: Here’s How Much Teachers Make in Every State

Downtown Street in historic Ocala, Florida.
Downtown Street in historic Ocala, Florida.

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%
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Condos in Atlanta suburbs just next to Highway GA 400.
Condos in Atlanta suburbs just next to Highway GA 400.

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%

Scenic Honolulu Oahu Hawaii Suburban Neighborhood.
Scenic Honolulu Oahu Hawaii Suburban Neighborhood.

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

View of Downtown Boise.
View of Downtown Boise.

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%

Chicago typical silver colored commuter train moving on elevated tracks to railroad station in between urban city buildings of Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Chicago typical silver colored commuter train moving on elevated tracks to railroad station in between urban city buildings of Chicago, Illinois, USA.

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%

Terre Haute historic downtown.
Terre Haute historic downtown.

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%

DES MOINES, IOWA - JULY 11, 2018: Des Moines, Iowa Skyline from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.
DES MOINES, IOWA - JULY 11, 2018: Des Moines, Iowa Skyline from the Pappajohn Sculpture Park.

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%

Wichita, Kansas, USA - April 27, 2018: Evening view of the Lewis Street Bridge bracketing downtown Wichita, crossing the Arkansas River.
Wichita, Kansas, USA - April 27, 2018: Evening view of the Lewis Street Bridge bracketing downtown Wichita, crossing the Arkansas River.

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%

River Town USA - Aerial view of autumn in a small Kentucky river town.
River Town USA - Aerial view of autumn in a small Kentucky river town.

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%

Lafayette is a small City in the State of Louisiana - Image.
Lafayette is a small City in the State of Louisiana - Image.

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%

Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state.
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state.

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%
Guide: How To Fill Out a W-4

Annapolis Maryland capitol
Annapolis Maryland capitol

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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South Boston also known as southie is a densely populated neighborhood of Boston known for narrow three deckers, rowhouses and strong Irish Catholic traditions.
South Boston also known as southie is a densely populated neighborhood of Boston known for narrow three deckers, rowhouses and strong Irish Catholic traditions.

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%

A view of downtown Lansing Michigan, USA.
A view of downtown Lansing Michigan, USA.

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%
Check Out: 25 Most Outlandish Taxes Since the Boston Tea Party

11216, Horizontal, Minneapolis, Minnesota, States, america
11216, Horizontal, Minneapolis, Minnesota, States, america

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%

Biloxi, Mississippi, USA Lighthouse at dusk.
Biloxi, Mississippi, USA Lighthouse at dusk.

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%

Sept.
Sept.

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%

Aerial View of Main Street in downtown Bozeman Montana.
Aerial View of Main Street in downtown Bozeman Montana.

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%

Nebraska, STATES
Nebraska, STATES

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%

Henderson, Nevada, USA - April 6, 2019:  Evening view of the Emerald Island Casino along Market Street in the downtown district.
Henderson, Nevada, USA - April 6, 2019: Evening view of the Emerald Island Casino along Market Street in the downtown district.

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%

New Hampshire
New Hampshire

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%

Bayonne New Jersey Newark homes neighborhood
Bayonne New Jersey Newark homes neighborhood

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%

Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA downtown cityscape and street at twilight.
Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA downtown cityscape and street at twilight.

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%

High angle view of Lower Manhattan cityscape - Chinatown, New York, USA.
High angle view of Lower Manhattan cityscape - Chinatown, New York, USA.

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%

Charlotte, North Carolina, USA uptown skyline and park.
Charlotte, North Carolina, USA uptown skyline and park.

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%

Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the State of North Dakota and is the county seat of Grand Forks County.
Grand Forks is the third-largest city in the State of North Dakota and is the county seat of Grand Forks County.

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%

The Roebling Bridge in Cincinnati in the summer
The Roebling Bridge in Cincinnati in the summer

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%
Find Out: How To Avoid Paying Taxes Legally — and the 11 Craziest Ways People Have Done It

Color images of the boxyard mall in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma taken 06/19/2018.
Color images of the boxyard mall in downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma taken 06/19/2018.

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%

View of the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon
View of the Old Mill District in Bend, Oregon

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%

View from north Pittsburgh.
View from north Pittsburgh.

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%

Westerly Rhode Island
Westerly Rhode Island

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%

Georgian row houses in Charleston, South Carolina
Georgian row houses in Charleston, South Carolina

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%

Rapid City is the second most populous city in South Dakota and the county seat of Pennington County.
Rapid City is the second most populous city in South Dakota and the county seat of Pennington County.

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%

People enjoy a pleasant evening in the Broadway pub district, downtown Nashville, Tennessee, USA at twilight.
People enjoy a pleasant evening in the Broadway pub district, downtown Nashville, Tennessee, USA at twilight.

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%

El Paso is a city in and the seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States.
El Paso is a city in and the seat of El Paso County, Texas, United States.

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%
See: 5 Common Reasons You Might Owe Taxes This Year

2/20/17 Park City, Utah, USA.
2/20/17 Park City, Utah, USA.

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%

The village of South Peacham nestled in the hill side of Vermont.
The village of South Peacham nestled in the hill side of Vermont.

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%

High angle view of Roanoke Virginia with famous church in the background -- St Andrews Catholic Church.
High angle view of Roanoke Virginia with famous church in the background -- St Andrews Catholic Church.

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%

Row of colorful townhouses and Olympic Mountain range from Seattle WA.
Row of colorful townhouses and Olympic Mountain range from Seattle WA.

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%

Martinsburg West Virginia in Berkeley County
Martinsburg West Virginia in Berkeley County

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%
Read: What Can I Write Off on My Taxes?

MADISON, WISCONSIN, USA - JULY 29, 2017.
MADISON, WISCONSIN, USA - JULY 29, 2017.

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%

Panoramic aerial view of Jackson Hole homes and beautiful mountains on a summer morning, Wyoming.
Panoramic aerial view of Jackson Hole homes and beautiful mountains on a summer morning, Wyoming.

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%
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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 January, 12 2021.

This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Here’s the Tax Burden on the Bottom 20% in Every State

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