Good news keeps coming for Wisconsin: A projected deficit turned into a $21 million surplus, the state ranked among the best in the nation for small business activity, and now it’s earned a top 10 sales tax ranking.
According to the Tax Foundation’s annual study of state and local sales tax rates, Wisconsin has the fourth lowest average combined state and local sales tax in the nation. The Badger State’s 5 percent statewide sales tax was good enough for 13th lowest, but with an average local rate of just 0.42 percent, the combined average dropped even further.
Wisconsin far surpasses all surrounding states. Illinois ranked 7th highest with an 8.64 percent average combined state and local rate, Iowa ranked 27th (6.80 percent), Michigan ranked 38th (6 percent), and Minnesota ranked 17th (7.30 percent).
And at this writing, Gov. Walker’s budget is expected to include more tax cuts. The Associated Press reported that Walker wants to implement sales tax holiday on certain back-to-school items and that there is support for a reduction or elimination of the state’s personal property tax.