BUSINESS + ECONOMY

The good news for taxpayers in Utah — lower state and local tax rates

Mar 7, 2023, 5:00 AM | Updated: 7:35 am
Ahead of Tax Day, Utahns fare pretty well when it comes to tax rates. Photo credit: KSL News...
Ahead of Tax Day, Utahns fare pretty well when it comes to tax rates. Photo credit: KSL News

SALT LAKE CITY — As Tax Day looms, there is some good news for Utah’s filers. A recent WalletHub survey shows Utah tax rates are generally lower than average, at seventh on a list of overall effective state and local tax rate.

The personal finance website’s 2023 Taxpayer Survey shows a whopping 81% of people more worried about inflation than taxes this year. Nearly two thirds of respondents believe the government does not spend their money wisely, and 72% of those questioned believe their current tax rate is too high.

In addition to the taxpayer survey, WalletHub’s yearly report on the States with the Highest and Lowest Tax rates shows Utah as the state with the lowest Vehicle Property Tax, and comes in with the 27th lowest Income Tax, which is slightly above average among the 50 states. Utah is 10th in Sales and Excise Taxes and is 8th in Real-Estate Tax, each well below average.

The Beehive State and tax rates

Tax Rates in Utah (1=Lowest; 25=Avg.):

  • 7th – Overall Effective State & Local Tax Rate
  • 27th – Income Tax
  • 8th – Real-Estate Tax
  • 1st – Vehicle Property Tax
  • 10th – Sales & Excise Taxes

Other results of the taxpayer survey show just how bummed Americans are about doing their taxes and include almost 34% of people who say not having enough money is their biggest Tax Day fear, followed by making a math mistake (23%) and getting audited (22%).

Other findings:

  • 39% of people would move to a different country for a tax-free future. Another  37% would get an “IRS” tattoo and 23% would stop talking for 6 months, rather than having to file and pay their taxes.
  • 49% of people would do jury duty rather than do their taxes. Another 36% would talk to their kids about sex and 26% would miss a connecting flight.

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The good news for taxpayers in Utah — lower state and local tax rates