10 Worst states for starting a business

Attention libertarians! Find out where the cold, dead hand of the state weighs heaviest. Rankings provided by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council.

By Mina Kimes

Taxes
Top personal income tax rate:	8.5%
Top corporate income tax rate:	8.93%
Property tax:	5.30%
Energy
Electric Utilities Costs †:	1.36
Labor
Minimum wage:	$7.00

† Index of state's average revenue/kilowatt hour.

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47. Maine

"Maine has so much scenic beauty," says Kerrigan, "but scenic beauty can't compensate for high taxes." Starting a business in the state could be as rocky as its coastline: Property taxes are the second worst in the nation, and personal income and capital gains taxes are also amongst the highest. On the plus side, Maine boasts a highly skilled population.

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