Is California a High Tax State?

Is California a High Tax State?

This budget brief encompasses the period from 1978 to 1996 and proposes answers to whether California’s tax rates are excessively high, and if the tax burden on households and businesses in California is out-of-line with that of similar states. The article offers a detailed summary of how the tax policy in California has evolved through the past two decades and finally concludes that while California compares favorably to other states with respect to tax burden, the state lags far behind in terms of critical investments in education and infrastructure. This article would be of particular interest to those who need specific information on previous tax practices in California.