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Study: Louisiana hosted largest tax increase in U.S.

by Jeremy Alford, LaPolitics

Louisiana implemented the largest tax increase in the United States in 2016, according to a 50-state survey compiled by the National Conference of State Legislatures.

The report estimates the overall increase in Louisiana at $1.5 billion, driven by changes in the state sales tax structure that were approved by the Legislature and governor during last year’s regular session.

South Dakota was the closest to the Bayou State’s tax burden, with its net revenue boost weighing in at $107 million.

To put that into perspective, more than half of the total net increase seen nationally in 2016 came from Louisiana alone, based on the report’s math.

Nationwide there was an estimated net tax increase of $2.3 billion last year, with Louisiana being one of only six states that implemented tax hikes. Five states, including Mississippi, actually decreased taxes through legislative action last year and 39 others made no changes at all.