New Study: RI Ranks 5th Worst For Taxes on the Poor

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New Study: RI Ranks 5th Worst For Taxes on the Poor

A study released Wednesday by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) and the Economic Progress Institute shows that the lowest income Rhode Islanders pay 12.5 percent of their income towards state and local taxes compared to the state’s wealthiest residents who pay 6.3 percent.

Rhode Island now ranks 5th worst in the country for taxes on the poor, up from 9th place two years ago. No other New England state ranks in the top ten.

“This study underscores why Rhode Islanders who are struggling in our low-wage economy should be the number one priority for any tax relief efforts considered in the coming year” said Kate Brewster, executive director of the Economic Progress Institute, a non-partisan research and policy organization.

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“Making our state’s Earned Income Tax Credit fully refundable last year was a first step towards making our tax structure fairer.  This year we hope to see the EITC increased to at least be on par with our neighboring states who allow working families to keep more of their paycheck,”   Brewster said.

The study analyzes tax systems in all 50 states and factors in all major state and local taxes, including personal and corporate income taxes, property taxes, sales and other excise taxes. 
 
The full study can be found at www.whopays.org.


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