Kansas
Our ranking: Not tax-friendly
State income tax: 3.1% (on $2,500 or less of taxable income for single filers and $5,000 or less for joint filers) — 5.7% (on more than $30,000 of taxable income for single filers and more than $60,000 for joint filers)
Average state and local sales taxes: 8.68%
Gas taxes and fees: 24 cents per gallon
Kansas has seen a lot of tax drama in the past decade as it implemented, then ultimately rejected, a series of tax cuts promoted by then-Governor Sam Brownback. Individual income taxes rates went up in 2017, as well as business taxes. For 2018, the legislature debated how to respond to federal tax reform, but ultimately made no changes. As a result, Kansans who opt for the standard deduction on their federal return will have to do the same on their state return; for some, this will mean higher taxes.
Sales taxes are high (and are applied to groceries), and property taxes lean high as well.
