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Connecticut ranks 46th overall on the 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

Score 4.28 / 10

About Connecticut's Tax Code

Connecticut’s tax code includes all major tax types, and the state has historically ranked among the bottom 10 on the Index. Connecticut has one of the most complex and least neutral individual income tax systems in the nation, featuring seven tax brackets with a top marginal rate of 6.99 percent and a recapture provision that eliminates the benefit of lower brackets, effectively taxing all income at the taxpayer’s highest marginal rate. Additionally, tax brackets and the personal exemption are not adjusted for inflation.

Connecticut’s baseline corporate income tax rate is high at 7.5 percent, though still lower than in other New England states, such as Massachusetts and Vermont. However, the state imposes a 10 percent surtax on businesses with gross proceeds of $100 million or more, or those filing as part of a combined unitary group, which increases the total tax burden for large corporations. The state does not comply with federal bonus depreciation treatment, requiring businesses to add back any first-year expensing of capital investment taken at the federal level. A minimum tax is also imposed on corporations’ capital stock. This provision was once slated for expiration, but the phaseout now extends until 2028, with the current rate at 0.16 percent. Connecticut does, however, forgo a harmful throwback rule and offers a 30-year net operating loss carryforward, although it caps NOLs at 50 percent in a given year.

The state’s sales tax rate of 6.35 percent is competitive both nationally and regionally, but the base includes some business inputs and excludes many final consumption goods and services, which limits the revenue-generating potential and reduces the neutrality of the sales tax system.

Connecticut also has one of the highest property tax burdens in the nation (relative to personal income) and imposes harmful estate and gift taxes, making the state less attractive to homeowners and high-net-worth individuals.

Component Scores

#46 overall · 4.28 / 10

Each component is scored from 0 to 10, where 10 is best. Select a component for its detail page.

2.557.510CorporateIndividualIncomeSalesPropertyUnemploymentInsurance
Connecticut Rank and Score by Component
Component Rank Score
Corporate Taxes #30 5.01 / 10
Individual Income Taxes #45 3.82 / 10
Sales Taxes #20 5.02 / 10
Property Taxes #49 2.97 / 10
Unemployment Insurance Taxes #38 4.48 / 10

Ranking Changes, 2020–2027

#46 in 2027 · up 1 place from 2020

Connecticut ranked 47th in 2020 and ranks 46th in 2027, an improvement of 1 place. The axis is zoomed to the state's range. Ranks for 2020 through 2026 are backcast under the current methodology.

RankHigher is better ↑45th46th47th48th49th202020212022202320242025202620274747474747474746
Show the Table
Connecticut Rank and Score by Year
Year OverallCorporateIndividual IncomeSalesPropertyUnemployment Insurance
2020 47 (4.20) 25 (5.17) 47 (3.74) 26 (4.81) 50 (2.69) 38 (4.45)
2021 47 (4.23) 24 (5.18) 46 (3.79) 24 (4.79) 50 (2.76) 39 (4.41)
2022 47 (4.31) 27 (5.18) 46 (3.82) 21 (4.94) 50 (2.75) 33 (4.70)
2023 47 (4.28) 29 (5.15) 47 (3.79) 19 (5.00) 50 (2.61) 35 (4.69)
2024 47 (4.26) 31 (5.05) 47 (3.73) 19 (5.01) 50 (2.65) 30 (4.82)
2025 47 (4.20) 31 (5.03) 47 (3.69) 19 (5.02) 50 (2.65) 39 (4.51)
2026 47 (4.23) 31 (5.02) 46 (3.72) 21 (4.99) 50 (2.78) 39 (4.50)
2027 46 (4.28) 30 (5.01) 45 (3.82) 20 (5.02) 49 (2.97) 38 (4.48)

Connecticut Compared across the States

#46 overall

Each row places the states on a 0 to 10 score scale for one measure. Connecticut is the large outlined dot, and the dashed line is the 50-state median, so a dot to its right scores better than the typical state. Hover over or tab to any dot for detail, and select it to open that state's profile.

Overall

#46 4.28

Corporate Taxes

#30 5.01

Individual Income Taxes

#45 3.82

Sales Taxes

#20 5.02

Property Taxes

#49 2.97

Unemployment Insurance Taxes

#38 4.48

  • Connecticut
  • Other states, by rank (1st to 50th)
  • 50-state median

Connecticut and Its Neighbors

#46 overall

Connecticut borders 3 states and ranks 46th overall; 2 of them rank higher and 1 ranks lower.

Connecticut Bordering states

What Each Component Includes

The five components of the Index, what each one covers, and where Connecticut lands. Open any component for the full breakdown.

  • Corporate Taxes

    Rank #30

    Includes corporate income taxes and gross receipts taxes. Measures the impact of each state’s principal tax on business activities.

    • Corporate Income Tax Rates
    • Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions
    • Net Operating Losses
    • Treatment of Capital Investment
    • Other Corporate Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Connecticut →
  • Individual Income Taxes

    Rank #45

    Covers the tax individuals pay on income, and with it a significant number of businesses — sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations — that report their income through the individual income tax code.

    • Individual Income Tax Rates
    • Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation
    • Other Individual Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Connecticut →
  • Sales Taxes

    Rank #20

    Covers the general sales tax levied on the purchase price of goods and services, plus excise taxes on gasoline, diesel, tobacco, vapor products, beer, and spirits, and taxes on digital advertising.

    • Sales and Excise Tax Rates
    • Business-to-Business Exemptions
    • Consumer Goods and Services in the Base
    • Sales Tax Structure
    Full Breakdown for Connecticut →
  • Property Taxes

    Rank #49

    Includes taxes on real and personal property, net worth, and the transfer of assets — among them capital stock, estate, inheritance, and real estate transfer taxes.

    • Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates
    • Property Tax Bases
    Full Breakdown for Connecticut →
  • Unemployment Insurance Taxes

    Rank #38

    Covers the taxes employers pay into the state unemployment insurance program to finance benefits for workers recently unemployed.

    • UI Tax Rates
    • Experience Formulas and Charging Methods
    • Other UI Base Variables
    Full Breakdown for Connecticut →

Tax Data Explorer

Every policy variable behind Connecticut's 2027 scores, grouped by the report's tables, as of July 1, 2026. Its bordering states are shown alongside to start. Search the variables and values, or add up to 4 states to compare side by side.

153 data points · Shaded values differ from Connecticut

Corporate Taxes: Corporate Income Tax Rates

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Bracket 17.5% > $08.0% > $0 (differs)6.5% > $0 (differs)7.0% > $0 (differs)
Bracket 28.25% > $100,000,000n.a. (differs)7.25% > $5,000,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Gross Receipts TaxNoNoNoNo

Corporate Taxes: Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Job CreditsYesYesYesYes
Research and Development CreditsYesYesYesYes
Investment CreditsYesYesYesYes
Compensation Expenses Deductiblen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Cost of Goods Sold Deductiblen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Corporate Taxes: Net Operating Losses

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Conforms to Federal NOL TreatmentNoNoNoNo
Carryback (Years)003 (differs)0
Carryback Cap$0$0Unlimited (differs)$0
Carryforward (Years)3020 (differs)20 (differs)20 (differs)
Carryforward Cap50%Unlimited (differs)Unlimited (differs)80% (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Treatment of Capital Investment

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Section 168(k) Expensing0%0%0%0%
Conforms to Section 163(j) LimitationNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
GILTI Inclusion5% Inclusion5% Inclusion5% Inclusion50% Inclusion (differs)
Section 174 ExpensingYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)
Section 168(n) ExpensingNoNoNoNo

Corporate Taxes: Other Corporate Base Variables

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseYesYesYesYes
Conformity StatusRollingRollingRollingRolling
Allows Federal ACRS or MACRS DepreciationYesYesYesYes
Allows Federal DepletionYesYesYesYes
Throwback RuleNoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)
Foreign Tax DeductibilityYesNo (differs)YesYes
Corporate AMTNoNoNoNo
Brackets Indexed for InflationNoFlat CIT (differs)NoFlat CIT (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Individual Income Tax Rates

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Bracket 12.0% > $05.0% > $0 (differs)3.9% > $0 (differs)3.75% > $0 (differs)
Bracket 24.5% > $10,0009.0% > $1,107,750 (differs)4.4% > $8,500 (differs)4.75% > $82,050 (differs)
Bracket 35.5% > $50,000n.a. (differs)5.15% > $11,700 (differs)5.99% > $186,450 (differs)
Bracket 46.0% > $100,000n.a. (differs)5.4% > $13,900 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 56.5% > $200,000n.a. (differs)5.9% > $80,650 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 66.9% > $250,000n.a. (differs)6.85% > $215,400 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 76.99% > $500,000n.a. (differs)9.65% > $1,077,550 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 8n.a.n.a.10.3% > $5,000,000 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 9n.a.n.a.10.9% > $25,000,000 (differs)n.a.
Standard Deduction (Single Filer)n.a.n.a.$8,000 (differs)$11,200 (differs)
Personal Exemption (Single Filer)$15,000$4,400 (differs)n.a. (differs)$5,250 (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit (Single Filer)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Personal Exemption per Dependentn.a.$1,000 (differs)$1,000 (differs)$5,250 (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit per Dependentn.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Average Local Income Tax RateNoneNone1.94% (differs)None
Surtaxes on Wage Incomen.a.0.88% (differs)n.a.n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Marriage PenaltyNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)
Married Couples Can File Separately on One ReturnNoNoNoNo
Convenience RulePartialNo (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)
Interest TaxedYesYesYesYes
Dividends TaxedYesYesYesYes
Capital Gains TaxedYesYesYesYes
Combined Capital Gains Tax Rate6.99%9% (differs)12.838% (differs)5.99% (differs)
Tax Brackets Indexed for InflationNoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)
Standard Deduction Indexed for InflationYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Personal Exemption Indexed for InflationNoNoNoYes (differs)
Progressivity Ratio1.551.80 (differs)2.02 (differs)1.60 (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Base Variables

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseYesYesYesYes
Conformity StatusRollingStatic (not current) (differs)RollingRolling
Credits for Taxes Paid to Other StatesYesYesYesYes
AMT LeviedYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Recognition of S Corporation StatusYesYesPartial (differs)Yes
Section 179 Expensing Limit$512,000$1,250,000 (differs)$2,560,000 (differs)$2,560,000 (differs)
TipsTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)Taxable
OvertimeTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Filing and Withholding Threshold Index50 (differs)2.333 (differs)0 (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Income Variables

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Income RecaptureYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)

Sales Taxes: Sales and Excise Tax Rates

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
State Sales Tax Rate6.35%6.25% (differs)4.00% (differs)7.00% (differs)
Average Local Sales Tax Rate0.00%0.00%4.54% (differs)0.00%
Maximum Local Sales Tax RateNoneNone4.875% (differs)None
Gasoline Tax (Cents per Gallon)25.0027.56 (differs)24.18 (differs)41.12 (differs)
Diesel Tax (Cents per Gallon)49.927.56 (differs)22.38 (differs)41.12 (differs)
Cigarette Tax (Dollars per Pack of 20)$4.35$3.51 (differs)$5.35 (differs)$4.50 (differs)
Beer Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$0.1935$0.1065 (differs)$0.14 (differs)$0.1242 (differs)
Spirits Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$5.94$4.05 (differs)$6.44 (differs)$5.40 (differs)
Vapor Tax Ratio to Cigarette Tax40.00%196.25% (differs)71.435% (differs)50.00% (differs)

Sales Taxes: Business-to-Business Exemptions

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Business InputsSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome Taxable
Farm EquipmentExemptExemptExemptExempt
Office EquipmentTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Manufacturing MachineryExemptExemptExemptExempt
Manufacturing Raw MaterialsExemptExemptExemptExempt
Business Fuel and UtilitiesExemptExemptExemptExempt
Business Leases and RentalsTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Information ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)
Software as a Service (SaaS)PartialTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Platform as a Service (PaaS)ExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Digital B2B ProductsTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Payroll ServicesExemptExemptExemptExempt
Data Center PurchasesExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)
Digital Advertising TaxNoNoNoNo

Sales Taxes: Consumer Goods and Services in the Base

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
GroceriesExemptExemptExemptExempt
ClothingTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Prescription MedicationExemptExemptExemptExempt
Nonprescription MedicationExemptTaxable (differs)ExemptTaxable (differs)
GasolineExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
LandscapingTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)
Repair ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)
Real Estate ServicesExemptExemptExemptExempt
ParkingTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)
Dry CleaningTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Fitness ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Barber ServicesExemptExemptExemptExempt
Veterinary ServicesExemptExemptExemptExempt
E-BooksTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable
Streaming VideoTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable
Medical ServicesExemptExemptExemptExempt
Legal ServicesExemptExemptExemptExempt
Financial ServicesExemptExemptExemptExempt
Accounting ServicesExemptExemptExemptExempt
Sales Tax HolidayYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)

Sales Taxes: Sales Tax Structure

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Uniform Base DefinitionsYesYesYesYes
Unified Tax AdministrationYesYesYesYes
Safe Harbor for Remote SellersGross Sales ThresholdGross Sales ThresholdGross Sales ThresholdSales or Transactions Threshold (differs)

Property Taxes: Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Property Tax Collections per Capita$3,422$3,215 (differs)$3,538 (differs)$2,530 (differs)
Property Tax as a Percentage of Personal Income3.60%3.44% (differs)4.16% (differs)3.58% (differs)
Assessment LimitYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)
Levy LimitNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Capital Stock Tax Rate0.16%0.26% (differs)0.1875% (differs)None (differs)
Capital Stock Tax Maximum Payment$1,000,000Unlimited (differs)$5,000,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Payment Options for Capital Stock and Corporate Income TaxesPay highestPay both (differs)Pay highestn.a. (differs)

Property Taxes: Property Tax Bases

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Tangible Personal Property TaxYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Tangible Personal Property De Minimis ExemptionNoneNonen.a. (differs)$50,000 (differs)
Intangible Property TaxNoNoNoNo
Inventory TaxNoPartial (differs)NoNo
Real Estate Transfer TaxYesYesYesYes
Split RollYesYesYesYes
Split Roll Ratio1.902.17 (differs)7.50 (differs)3.48 (differs)
Estate Tax12%16% (differs)16% (differs)16% (differs)
Inheritance TaxNoNoNoNo
Gift TaxYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: UI Tax Rates

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Minimum Rate1.10%1.17% (differs)2.03% (differs)1.10%
Maximum Rate9.90%17.14% (differs)9.83% (differs)9.70% (differs)
Taxable Wage Base$27,000$15,000 (differs)$17,600 (differs)$30,800 (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.50%0.56% (differs)0.00% (differs)0.21% (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate5.40%8.62% (differs)5.90% (differs)7.40% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.50%1.21% (differs)1.50% (differs)1.20% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate5.40%18.55% (differs)8.90% (differs)10.00% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Total Wages0.53%0.43% (differs)0.48% (differs)0.97% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Taxable Wages1.91%2.06% (differs)3.08% (differs)2.22% (differs)
Trust Fund Solvency Ratio0.080.25 (differs)0.06 (differs)0.9 (differs)
New Employer Rate1.90%2.13% (differs)3.40% (differs)1.21% (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Experience Formulas and Charging Methods

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Experience Formula Based OnBenefits RatioReserve Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)
Benefits Charged in Proportion to Base-Period WagesYesNo (base-period employers in inverse chronological order) (differs)YesNo (most recent or principal employer) (differs)
Charged If Employee's Benefit Award Is ReversedNoNoNoNo
Charged for Reimbursements on Combined Wage ClaimsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Charged If Employee Left VoluntarilyNoYes (differs)NoNo
Charged If Employee Was Discharged for MisconductNoYes (differs)NoNo
Charged If Employee Refused Suitable WorkNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Charged If Employee Continues to Work Part-TimeNoNoNoNo

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Other UI Base Variables

VariableConnecticutMassachusettsNew YorkRhode Island
Solvency TaxYesYesYesNo (differs)
Taxes for Socialized Costs or Negative Balance EmployersNoNoNoNo
Loan and Interest Repayment SurtaxesYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)
Reserve TaxesNoNoNoNo
Surtaxes for UI Administration or Non-UI PurposesNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Temporary Disability InsuranceNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)
Voluntary ContributionsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Years to Qualify for Experience Rating13 (differs)1.5 (differs)3 (differs)

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About the Authors

Janelle Fritts Tax Foundation
Expert

Janelle Fritts

Senior Policy Analyst

Janelle Fritts is a Senior Policy Analyst with the Tax Foundation’s Center for State Tax Policy. She is the lead researcher on the annual State Tax Competitiveness Index and serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structures of their state tax codes. Her work has been cited in The New York Times, the Associated Press, Bloomberg, and numerous state media outlets across the country.

Jared Walczak Tax Foundation
Expert

Jared Walczak

Senior Fellow

Jared Walczak is a Senior Fellow at the Tax Foundation, where he spent five years as Vice President of State Projects, and president of Walczak Policy Consulting.

Nicole Fox Tax Foundation
Expert

Nicole Fox

Policy Analyst

Nicole Fox is a Policy Analyst with the Center for State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, where she serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structure of their state tax codes.

Katherine Loughead Tax Foundation
Expert

Katherine Loughead

Vice President of State Tax Policy

Katherine Loughead is the Vice President of State Tax Policy at the Tax Foundation, where she oversees the state tax policy team’s research agenda and serves as a resource to policymakers in their efforts to modernize and improve the structure of their state tax codes.

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Sarah Wilbur

Communications Manager

Sarah Wilbur is Communications Manager at the Tax Foundation where she advances the organization’s institutional reach by developing its corporate communications and media programs.

Jesse Solis Tax Foundation

Jesse Solis

Vice President of Communications

Jesse Solis is Vice President of Communications at the Tax Foundation, where he leads the communications team and works to build coverage of Tax Foundation’s experts and their work across the globe. He joined the team in 2021 as Communications Manager and became Communications Director in 2024.