State tax changes on the way in 2012

@CNNMoney December 21, 2011: 6:05 AM ET
Changes ahead for state taxes in 2012.

Changes ahead for state taxes in 2012.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- While the fate of the payroll tax extension is still uncertain on Capitol Hill this week, at least some Americans can look forward to tax breaks at the state level when 2012 rolls around.

The cuts are coming despite the fact that state finances in many areas remain under pressure. Although the U.S. economy has shown some recent signs of life, states will still be dealing with billions of dollars worth of total deficits for at least the next few years.

Still, some governments are finding ways to cut taxes. In Oklahoma, the personal income tax rate for most people is set to drop from 5.5% to 5.25% next year, while in Massachusetts, it will creep down from 5.3% to 5.25%.

In Oregon, the income tax for wealthy individuals will drop from 11% to 9.9%, following an increase from 9% a few years ago. In New York, a new income tax plan announced earlier this month includes broad cuts, with the middle-class tax rate set to be slashed by 0.40%.

House, Senate on payroll tax collision course

In other places, of course, state governments have moved to shore up revenues. Connecticut is increasing the corporate income tax on large businesses from 8.25% to 9%, and California will likely pass increases in the sales tax and the income tax for high earners next year, said Kim Rueben, a public finance economist at the Tax Policy Center.

A number of states have also approved new taxes on cigarettes and alcohol and have allowed the expansion of gambling in order to raise revenues, according to auditing firm KPMG.

"It's hard to say if there's an overall trend," said Mark Robyn, an economist with the Tax Foundation. "Some states are recovering more quickly from the recession and the effects that had on their budgets, and others are still struggling."

On corporate taxes, several states have approved new cuts. West Virginia's corporate income tax rate will drop from 8.5% to 7.75% next year and will continue dropping to 6.5% by 2014, assuming certain revenue conditions are met. In Indiana, the current rate of 8.5% is scheduled to drop gradually to 6.5% in 2015.

Different political winds, Robyn said, may lead to different policy outcomes even in states where economic conditions are similar. Some states under fiscal pressure may attempt to cut taxes and grow their way out of distress, while others see tax increases as the best way to fill revenue holes.

Payroll tax cut: What's at stake

Looking ahead, the expiration of federal stimulus aid, stubborn unemployment and continued trouble in the housing market mean states will have to proceed cautiously in projecting future revenues.

"There are certain places that shouldn't be cutting taxes that are because they're trying to make a point, and what it's going to end up looking like when their budgets actually come due might be questionable," Rueben said. To top of page

Overnight Avg Rate Latest Change Last Week
30 yr fixed3.80%3.88%
15 yr fixed3.20%3.23%
5/1 ARM3.84%3.88%
30 yr refi3.82%3.93%
15 yr refi3.20%3.23%
Rate data provided
by Bankrate.com
View rates in your area
 
Find personalized rates:
Economic Calendar
Latest ReportNext Update
Home pricesAug 28
Consumer confidenceAug 28
GDPAug 29
Manufacturing (ISM)Sept 4
JobsSept 7
Inflation (CPI)Sept 14
Retail sales Sept 14
  • -->

    Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.