States tax levels up 186% in '70s - $600 per capita

November 9, 1981

State taxes have increased 186 percent since 1970, amounting to an average collection of more than $600 in 1980 for every man, woman, and child in the United States, the Tax Foundation, a research group, says.

The $607 per person the states took in during fiscal year 1980 compares with

In 1980, state taxes totaled $137.1 billion, compared with $48 billion in 1970.

In 1980, Alaska had the highest tax collections ($3,594 per person); Hawaii was second highest ($1,035); followed by Delaware, ($867); Wyoming, ($824); California, ($818); Minnesota, ($786); New York; ($724), and Wisconsin, ($715).

States with the lowest taxes include New Hampshire ($290); South Dakota, ($ 392); Tennessee, ($411); Missouri, ($426); and Ohio, ($441).