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Delaware ranks 22nd overall on the 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

Score 5.30 / 10

About Delaware's Tax Code

Delaware, despite maintaining several distinctly uncompetitive provisions, ranks slightly above average on the Index due to its lack of a sales tax. Delaware has a graduated individual income tax with a top rate of 6.6 percent kicking in at $60,000. In addition, the city of Wilmington collects its own individual income tax of 1.25 percent, the only jurisdiction to do so. Taxpayers in the state also face a marriage penalty, where a household’s overall tax bill increases due to a couple marrying and filing taxes jointly.

Delaware has an 8.7 percent corporate income tax rate and is one of only three states with both a corporate income tax and a gross receipts tax (GRT), which applies to gross sales, without deductions for a firm’s business expenses, like costs of goods sold and compensation, and without regard for ability to pay. This leads to tax pyramiding, favors high-profit-margin companies, and can cause low-profit-margin firms to cease operations. Most states have abandoned GRTs due to the economic harm and inefficiencies they cause. While the state does conform to Section 174A, allowing for full expensing of research and experimentation investments, it does not conform to bonus depreciation under Section 168(k), allowing only a 20 percent deduction. Delaware also imposes a capital stock tax. The state does benefit, however, from its lack of a state sales tax, as well as its reasonable 0.54 percent effective property tax rate on owner-occupied housing value.

Delaware does not levy an estate or inheritance tax, a notable competitive advantage compared to most of its regional competitors. However, the state does impose an uncompetitive convenience rule and requires nonresident individual income tax filing and withholding for nonresidents who work for even a single day in the state. Delaware is perhaps most notable for policies that make it more attractive as a place in which to incorporate than a state in which to actually conduct significant business operations. Its Court of Chancery, which wins many plaudits, is well outside the scope of the Index, while its uniquely favorable treatment of royalty income does not benefit the state on the Index.

Component Scores

#22 overall · 5.30 / 10

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

2.557.510CorporateIndividualIncomeSalesPropertyUnemploymentInsurance
Delaware Rank and Score by Component
Component Rank Score
Corporate Taxes #50 1.33 / 10
Individual Income Taxes #37 4.82 / 10
Sales Taxes #2 8.60 / 10
Property Taxes #3 6.46 / 10
Unemployment Insurance Taxes #2 6.14 / 10

Ranking Changes, 2020–2027

#22 in 2027 · down 7 places from 2020

Delaware ranked 15th in 2020 and ranks 22nd in 2027, a decline of 7 places. The axis is zoomed to the state's range. Ranks for 2020 through 2026 are backcast under the current methodology.

RankHigher is better ↑14th16th18th20th22nd202020212022202320242025202620271515161717172122
Show the Table
Delaware Rank and Score by Year
Year OverallCorporateIndividual IncomeSalesPropertyUnemployment Insurance
2020 15 (5.46) 50 (1.63) 38 (4.74) 2 (8.80) 2 (6.69) 7 (5.74)
2021 15 (5.42) 50 (1.64) 39 (4.75) 2 (8.78) 2 (6.65) 11 (5.66)
2022 16 (5.42) 50 (1.60) 40 (4.75) 2 (8.86) 2 (6.67) 11 (5.66)
2023 17 (5.38) 50 (1.48) 40 (4.76) 2 (8.78) 2 (6.59) 4 (5.94)
2024 17 (5.41) 50 (1.45) 39 (4.72) 2 (8.87) 2 (6.70) 1 (6.11)
2025 17 (5.37) 50 (1.41) 39 (4.71) 2 (8.84) 1 (6.57) 2 (6.06)
2026 21 (5.26) 50 (1.37) 39 (4.68) 2 (8.56) 2 (6.57) 2 (6.17)
2027 22 (5.30) 50 (1.33) 37 (4.82) 2 (8.60) 3 (6.46) 2 (6.14)

Delaware Compared across the States

#22 overall

Each row places the states on a 0 to 10 score scale for one measure. Delaware 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

#22 5.30

Corporate Taxes

#50 1.33

Individual Income Taxes

#37 4.82

Sales Taxes

#2 8.60

Property Taxes

#3 6.46

Unemployment Insurance Taxes

#2 6.14

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

Delaware and Its Neighbors

#22 overall

Delaware borders 3 states and ranks 22nd overall; it outranks every one of them.

Delaware Bordering states

What Each Component Includes

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

  • Corporate Taxes

    Rank #50

    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 Delaware →
  • Individual Income Taxes

    Rank #37

    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 Delaware →
  • Sales Taxes

    Rank #2

    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 Delaware →
  • Property Taxes

    Rank #3

    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 Delaware →
  • Unemployment Insurance Taxes

    Rank #2

    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 Delaware →

Tax Data Explorer

Every policy variable behind Delaware'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.

159 data points · Shaded values differ from Delaware

Corporate Taxes: Corporate Income Tax Rates

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Bracket 18.7% > $08.25% > $0 (differs)6.5% > $0 (differs)7.49% > $0 (differs)
Bracket 2n.a.n.a.7.5% > $50,000 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 3n.a.n.a.9.0% > $100,000 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 4n.a.n.a.11.5% > $10,000,000 (differs)n.a.
Gross Receipts TaxYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Minimum Rate0.0945%n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Maximum Rate0.7468%n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Rate Used in the Index0.7468%n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Job CreditsYesYesYesYes
Research and Development CreditsYesYesYesYes
Investment CreditsYesNo (differs)YesYes
Compensation Expenses DeductibleNon.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Cost of Goods Sold DeductibleNon.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Net Operating Losses

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Conforms to Federal NOL TreatmentYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)
Carryback (Years)Conforms to federal treatmentConforms to federal treatment0 (differs)0 (differs)
Carryback CapConforms to federal treatmentConforms to federal treatment$0 (differs)$0 (differs)
Carryforward (Years)Conforms to federal treatmentConforms to federal treatment20 (differs)20 (differs)
Carryforward CapConforms to federal treatmentConforms to federal treatment80% (differs)50% of Liability (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Treatment of Capital Investment

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Section 168(k) Expensing20%0% (differs)0% (differs)0% (differs)
Conforms to Section 163(j) LimitationYesYesYesYes
GILTI Inclusion60% Inclusion50% Inclusion (differs)5% Inclusion (differs)Decouples (differs)
Section 174 ExpensingYesYesYesNo (differs)
Section 168(n) ExpensingNoNoYes (differs)No

Corporate Taxes: Other Corporate Base Variables

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseYesYesYesYes
Conformity StatusRollingRollingRollingRolling
Allows Federal ACRS or MACRS DepreciationYesYesYesYes
Allows Federal DepletionPartialPartialYes (differs)Yes (differs)
Throwback RuleNoNoNoNo
Foreign Tax DeductibilityNoYes (differs)NoNo
Corporate AMTNoNoNoNo
Brackets Indexed for InflationFlat CITFlat CITNo (differs)Flat CIT

Individual Income Taxes: Individual Income Tax Rates

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Bracket 12.2% > $2,0002.0% > $0 (differs)1.4% > $0 (differs)3.07% > $0 (differs)
Bracket 23.9% > $5,0003.0% > $1,000 (differs)1.75% > $20,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 34.8% > $10,0004.0% > $2,000 (differs)3.5% > $35,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 45.2% > $20,0004.75% > $3,000 (differs)5.525% > $40,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 55.55% > $25,0005.0% > $100,000 (differs)6.37% > $75,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 66.6% > $60,0005.25% > $125,000 (differs)8.97% > $500,000 (differs)n.a. (differs)
Bracket 7n.a.5.5% > $150,000 (differs)10.75% > $1,000,000 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 8n.a.5.75% > $250,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Bracket 9n.a.6.25% > $500,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Bracket 10n.a.6.5% > $1,000,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Standard Deduction (Single Filer)$3,250$3,350 (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption (Single Filer)n.a.$3,200 (differs)$1,000 (differs)n.a.
Personal Exemption Credit (Single Filer)$110n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Personal Exemption per Dependentn.a.$3,200 (differs)$1,500 (differs)n.a.
Personal Exemption Credit per Dependent$110n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Average Local Income Tax Rate0.63%3.20% (differs)None (differs)3.37% (differs)
Surtaxes on Wage Incomen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Marriage PenaltyYesYesYesNo (differs)
Married Couples Can File Separately on One ReturnYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Convenience RuleYesNo (differs)Partial (differs)Yes
Interest TaxedYesYesYesYes
Dividends TaxedYesYesYesYes
Capital Gains TaxedYesYesYesYes
Combined Capital Gains Tax Rate6.6%11.7% (differs)10.75% (differs)3.07% (differs)
Tax Brackets Indexed for InflationNoNoNoYes (differs)
Standard Deduction Indexed for InflationNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Personal Exemption Indexed for InflationNoNoNoYes (differs)
Progressivity Ratio1.001.37 (differs)1.95 (differs)1.00

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Base Variables

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Federal Income Used as State Tax BaseYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)
Conformity StatusRollingRollingStatic (not current) (differs)Static (not current) (differs)
Credits for Taxes Paid to Other StatesYesYesYesYes
AMT LeviedNoNoNoNo
Recognition of S Corporation StatusYesYesYesYes
Section 179 Expensing Limit$2,560,000$25,000 (differs)$25,000 (differs)$1,250,000 (differs)
TipsTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
OvertimeTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Filing and Withholding Threshold Index0000

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Income Variables

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Income RecaptureNoNoNoNo

Sales Taxes: Sales and Excise Tax Rates

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
State Sales Tax Raten.a.6.00% (differs)6.63% (differs)6.00% (differs)
Average Local Sales Tax Rate0.00%0.00%-0.02% (differs)0.34% (differs)
Maximum Local Sales Tax RateNoneNone3.3125% (differs)2.00% (differs)
Gasoline Tax (Cents per Gallon)23.0046.81 (differs)49.15 (differs)58.70 (differs)
Diesel Tax (Cents per Gallon)2247.66 (differs)56.15 (differs)74.1 (differs)
Cigarette Tax (Dollars per Pack of 20)$2.10$5.00 (differs)$3.00 (differs)$2.60 (differs)
Beer Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$0.263$0.60 (differs)$0.12 (differs)$0.08 (differs)
Spirits Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$4.50$5.46 (differs)$5.50 (differs)$7.48 (differs)
Vapor Tax Ratio to Cigarette Tax5.00%214.305% (differs)30.00% (differs)104.6667% (differs)

Sales Taxes: Business-to-Business Exemptions

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Business Inputsn.a.Some Taxable (differs)Some Taxable (differs)Some Taxable (differs)
Farm Equipmentn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Office Equipmentn.a.Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Manufacturing Machineryn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Manufacturing Raw Materialsn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Business Fuel and Utilitiesn.a.Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Business Leases and Rentalsn.a.Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Information Servicesn.a.Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Software as a Service (SaaS)n.a.Partial (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)
Platform as a Service (PaaS)n.a.Partial (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)
Digital B2B Productsn.a.Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Payroll Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Data Center Purchasesn.a.Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Digital Advertising TaxNoYes (differs)NoNo

Sales Taxes: Consumer Goods and Services in the Base

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Groceriesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Clothingn.a.Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Prescription Medicationn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Nonprescription Medicationn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Gasolinen.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Landscapingn.a.Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Repair Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Real Estate Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Parkingn.a.Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Dry Cleaningn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Fitness Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Barber Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Veterinary Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
E-Booksn.a.Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Streaming Videon.a.Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Medical Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Legal Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Financial Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Accounting Servicesn.a.Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Sales Tax Holidayn.a.Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)

Sales Taxes: Sales Tax Structure

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Uniform Base Definitionsn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Unified Tax Administrationn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Safe Harbor for Remote Sellersn.a.Sales or Transactions Threshold (differs)Sales or Transactions Threshold (differs)Gross Sales Threshold (differs)

Property Taxes: Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Property Tax Collections per Capita$1,086$1,982 (differs)$3,665 (differs)$1,806 (differs)
Property Tax as a Percentage of Personal Income1.59%2.49% (differs)4.32% (differs)2.55% (differs)
Assessment LimitNoYes (differs)NoNo
Levy LimitYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)
Capital Stock Tax Rate0.04%None (differs)None (differs)None (differs)
Capital Stock Tax Maximum Payment$200,000n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Payment Options for Capital Stock and Corporate Income TaxesPay bothn.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)

Property Taxes: Property Tax Bases

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Tangible Personal Property TaxNoYes (differs)Partial (differs)No
Tangible Personal Property De Minimis Exemptionn.a.$20,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Intangible Property TaxNoNoNoNo
Inventory TaxNoPartial (differs)NoNo
Real Estate Transfer TaxYesYesYesYes
Split RollYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Split Roll Ratio1.511.00 (differs)1.00 (differs)1.00 (differs)
Estate TaxNo16% (differs)NoNo
Inheritance TaxNo10% (differs)16% (differs)15% (differs)
Gift TaxNoNoNoNo

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: UI Tax Rates

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Minimum Rate0.40%0.31% (differs)0.50% (differs)1.42% (differs)
Maximum Rate5.40%7.50% (differs)5.80% (differs)10.37% (differs)
Taxable Wage Base$14,500$8,500 (differs)$44,800 (differs)$10,000 (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.10%0.30% (differs)0.30% (differs)0.00% (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate8.00%7.50% (differs)5.40% (differs)8.95% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.10%2.20% (differs)1.30% (differs)0.00% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate8.00%13.50% (differs)7.70% (differs)8.95% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Total Wages0.11%0.18% (differs)1.00% (differs)0.58% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Taxable Wages0.60%1.33% (differs)2.24% (differs)3.40% (differs)
Trust Fund Solvency Ratio0.791.04 (differs)0.4 (differs)0.22 (differs)
New Employer Rate1.20%1.00% (differs)3.40% (differs)3.82% (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Experience Formulas and Charging Methods

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Experience Formula Based OnBenefit Wage RatioBenefits Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)Benefits Ratio (differs)
Benefits Charged in Proportion to Base-Period WagesYesYesYesYes
Charged If Employee's Benefit Award Is ReversedNoNoNoNo
Charged for Reimbursements on Combined Wage ClaimsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Charged If Employee Left VoluntarilyNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Was Discharged for MisconductNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Refused Suitable WorkNoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)
Charged If Employee Continues to Work Part-TimeNoNoYes (differs)No

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Other UI Base Variables

VariableDelawareMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvania
Solvency TaxYesNo (differs)YesYes
Taxes for Socialized Costs or Negative Balance EmployersNoNoNoNo
Loan and Interest Repayment SurtaxesYesNo (differs)YesYes
Reserve TaxesNoNoNoNo
Surtaxes for UI Administration or Non-UI PurposesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Temporary Disability InsuranceNoNoYes (differs)No
Voluntary ContributionsNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)
Years to Qualify for Experience Rating223 (differs)1.5 (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
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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
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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
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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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