here in pa our state income tax is 2.8, sales tax is 6 in most places, 7 in teh big cities. I hear our property tax is high, but never owned property elsewhere to compare. Most of that is for the local schools anyway, so it varies by school district.

The goverenor here got elected on property tax reform - reduce property tax by taxing something else...so this week he offers these options...
-personal income tax from 2.8 to 3.1
-cigarettes an extra 45 cents a pack
-sales tax, up 1% across teh state
-BUT no to lower the property tax at all...that may come later, right now everyone is broke, governmentally speaking.

(duh - tax revenue drops when the economy slows, BUT no one slowed spending ... they cannot see beyond the end of their noses)

I am AGAINST expanding the sales tax nationwide - it would be insane to try and track things (it's tough here with the 1% extra as it goes by COUNTY , but when you buy a car they use your ZIP CODE and some zip codes span the county line....)

I favor a FLAT TAX.

And making money on the side and paying taxes on it, well, claiming it, allows one to get tax deductions - talk to a good accountant and WE ALL will start home businesses for the tax deductions!!!! best way to shield your income FROM taxation!

How'd i get on the soapbox?