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:	5.3%
Top corporate income tax rate:	9.5%
Property tax:	3.70%
Energy
Electric Utilities Costs †:	1.60
Labor
Minimum wage:	$7.50

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

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44. Massachusetts

Massachusetts' businesses might consider resurrecting the spirit of '76 to protest taxes; while personal income rates are relatively low, corporate income taxes are amongst the highest in the U.S. "They don't call it `Taxachussetts' for nothing," Kerrigan says. The state's assets include a flourishing high-tech industry, an educated workforce, and an environment that fosters innovation.

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