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South Dakota ranks 2nd overall on the 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

Score 7.56 / 10

About South Dakota's Tax Code

South Dakota is one of only two states to forgo individual income, corporate income, and gross receipts taxes. Consequently, the state relies heavily on its sales tax, which nevertheless retains a highly competitive rate, though one imposed on an overbroad base. It applies to most final personal consumption—which is appropriate—but also to a wide range of business inputs, which causes harmful tax pyramiding.

South Dakota also relies on relatively high property taxes to fund local government. While the state does impose a tax on the tangible property of centrally assessed utility and transportation property, the property tax base is competitive in that the state generally exempts business tangible personal property and business inventory from taxation. South Dakota does not have an estate or inheritance tax. The state does, however, utilize split roll property taxation, as school districts may levy separate rates on different classes of property. By favoring some classes of property over others, the tax burden is imposed in a nonneutral manner, which distorts economic decision-making.

Component Scores

#2 overall · 7.56 / 10

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

2.557.510CorporateIndividualIncomeSalesPropertyUnemploymentInsurance
South Dakota Rank and Score by Component
Component Rank Score
Corporate Taxes #1 10.00 / 10
Individual Income Taxes #1 10.00 / 10
Sales Taxes #31 4.47 / 10
Property Taxes #15 5.44 / 10
Unemployment Insurance Taxes #19 5.32 / 10

Ranking Changes, 2020–2027

#2 in 2027 · unchanged from 2020

South Dakota ranked 2nd in 2020 and ranks 2nd in 2027, no net change. The axis is zoomed to the state's range. Ranks for 2020 through 2026 are backcast under the current methodology.

RankHigher is better ↑1st2nd3rd4th5th2020202120222023202420252026202722222222
Show the Table
South Dakota Rank and Score by Year
Year OverallCorporateIndividual IncomeSalesPropertyUnemployment Insurance
2020 2 (7.36) 1 (10.00) 1 (10.00) 39 (4.10) 14 (5.42) 19 (5.24)
2021 2 (7.35) 1 (10.00) 1 (10.00) 40 (4.11) 28 (5.14) 21 (5.21)
2022 2 (7.43) 1 (10.00) 1 (10.00) 39 (4.15) 19 (5.28) 19 (5.37)
2023 2 (7.47) 1 (10.00) 1 (10.00) 39 (4.12) 13 (5.51) 19 (5.31)
2024 2 (7.56) 1 (10.00) 1 (10.00) 32 (4.47) 14 (5.50) 21 (5.22)
2025 2 (7.57) 1 (10.00) 1 (10.00) 32 (4.46) 14 (5.59) 22 (5.20)
2026 2 (7.61) 1 (10.00) 1 (10.00) 31 (4.44) 14 (5.63) 20 (5.32)
2027 2 (7.56) 1 (10.00) 1 (10.00) 31 (4.47) 15 (5.44) 19 (5.32)

South Dakota Compared across the States

#2 overall

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

#2 7.56

Corporate Taxes

#1 10.00

Individual Income Taxes

#1 10.00

Sales Taxes

#31 4.47

Property Taxes

#15 5.44

Unemployment Insurance Taxes

#19 5.32

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

South Dakota and Its Neighbors

#2 overall

South Dakota borders 6 states and ranks 2nd overall; 1 of them ranks higher and 5 rank lower.

South Dakota Bordering states

What Each Component Includes

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

  • Corporate Taxes

    Rank #1

    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 South Dakota →
  • Individual Income Taxes

    Rank #1

    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 South Dakota →
  • Sales Taxes

    Rank #31

    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 South Dakota →
  • Property Taxes

    Rank #15

    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 South Dakota →
  • Unemployment Insurance Taxes

    Rank #19

    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 South Dakota →

Tax Data Explorer

Every policy variable behind South Dakota'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.

149 data points · Shaded values differ from South Dakota

Corporate Taxes: Corporate Income Tax Rates

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Bracket 1None5.5% > $0 (differs)9.8% > $0 (differs)6.75% > $0 (differs)4.55% > $0 (differs)1.41% > $0 (differs)None
Bracket 2n.a.7.1% > $100,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.3.55% > $25,000 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 3n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.4.31% > $50,000 (differs)n.a.
Gross Receipts TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Corporate Taxes: Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Job CreditsNoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoNo
Research and Development CreditsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Investment CreditsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Compensation Expenses Deductiblen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Cost of Goods Sold Deductiblen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Corporate Taxes: Net Operating Losses

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Conforms to Federal NOL Treatmentn.a.Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Carryback (Years)n.a.Conforms to federal treatment (differs)0 (differs)3 (differs)0 (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)n.a.
Carryback Capn.a.Conforms to federal treatment (differs)$0 (differs)$500,000 (differs)$0 (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)n.a.
Carryforward (Years)n.a.Conforms to federal treatment (differs)15 (differs)10 (differs)20 (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)n.a.
Carryforward Capn.a.Conforms to federal treatment (differs)70% (differs)Unlimited (differs)Unlimited (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)n.a.

Corporate Taxes: Treatment of Capital Investment

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Section 168(k) Expensing100%100%20% (differs)100%100%100%100%
Conforms to Section 163(j) LimitationNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)No
GILTI Inclusionn.a.Decouples (differs)50% Inclusion (differs)20% Inclusion (differs)60% Inclusion (differs)30% Inclusion (differs)n.a.
Section 174 ExpensingYesYesNo (differs)YesYesYesYes
Section 168(n) ExpensingYesYesYesYesYesYesYes

Corporate Taxes: Other Corporate Base Variables

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Federal Income Used as State Tax Basen.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Conformity Statusn.a.Rolling (differs)Static (current) (differs)Rolling (differs)Rolling (differs)Rolling (differs)n.a.
Allows Federal ACRS or MACRS Depreciationn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Allows Federal Depletionn.a.Yes (differs)Partial (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Throwback Rulen.a.No (differs)No (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Foreign Tax Deductibilityn.a.Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)n.a.
Corporate AMTn.a.No (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)n.a.
Brackets Indexed for Inflationn.a.No (differs)Flat CIT (differs)Flat CIT (differs)Flat CIT (differs)No (differs)n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Individual Income Tax Rates

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Bracket 1No Income Tax3.8% > $0 (differs)5.35% > $0 (differs)4.7% > $0 (differs)2.46% > $0 (differs)1.95% > $49,575 (differs)No Income Tax
Bracket 2n.a.n.a.6.8% > $33,310 (differs)5.65% > $47,500 (differs)3.51% > $4,130 (differs)2.5% > $250,400 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 3n.a.n.a.7.85% > $109,430 (differs)n.a.4.55% > $24,760 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Bracket 4n.a.n.a.9.85% > $203,150 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Standard Deduction (Single Filer)n.a.$16,100 (differs)$15,300 (differs)$16,100 (differs)$8,850 (differs)$16,100 (differs)n.a.
Personal Exemption (Single Filer)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Personal Exemption Credit (Single Filer)n.a.$40 (differs)n.a.n.a.$176 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Personal Exemption per Dependentn.a.n.a.$5,300 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.
Personal Exemption Credit per Dependentn.a.$40 (differs)n.a.n.a.$176 (differs)n.a.n.a.
Average Local Income Tax RateNone0.10% (differs)NoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Surtaxes on Wage Incomen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Marriage Penaltyn.a.No (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Married Couples Can File Separately on One Returnn.a.Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)n.a.
Convenience RuleNoNoNoNoYes (differs)NoNo
Interest Taxedn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Dividends Taxedn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Capital Gains Taxedn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Combined Capital Gains Tax Raten.a.3.943% (differs)10.85% (differs)4.1% (differs)4.55% (differs)1.5% (differs)n.a.
Tax Brackets Indexed for Inflationn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Standard Deduction Indexed for Inflationn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Personal Exemption Indexed for Inflationn.a.No (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Progressivity Ration.a.1.00 (differs)1.45 (differs)1.00 (differs)1.00 (differs)1.00 (differs)n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Base Variables

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Federal Income Used as State Tax Basen.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
Conformity Statusn.a.Rolling (differs)Static (current) (differs)Rolling (differs)Rolling (differs)Rolling (differs)n.a.
Credits for Taxes Paid to Other Statesn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)n.a.
AMT Leviedn.a.No (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)n.a.
Recognition of S Corporation StatusYesYesYesYesYesYesYes
Section 179 Expensing Limit$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000
Tipsn.a.Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a.
Overtimen.a.Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a.
Filing and Withholding Threshold Index100.565 (differs)5 (differs)100 (differs)3.333 (differs)10

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Income Variables

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Income Recapturen.a.No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)n.a.

Sales Taxes: Sales and Excise Tax Rates

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
State Sales Tax Rate4.20%6.00% (differs)6.88% (differs)n.a. (differs)5.50% (differs)5.00% (differs)4.00% (differs)
Average Local Sales Tax Rate1.91%0.94% (differs)1.26% (differs)0.00% (differs)1.48% (differs)2.09% (differs)1.39% (differs)
Maximum Local Sales Tax Rate4.50%2.00% (differs)3.00% (differs)None (differs)2.00% (differs)3.75% (differs)3.00% (differs)
Gasoline Tax (Cents per Gallon)30.0030.0032.70 (differs)33.75 (differs)32.70 (differs)23.03 (differs)24.00 (differs)
Diesel Tax (Cents per Gallon)3032.5 (differs)32.7 (differs)30.5 (differs)32.1 (differs)23.03 (differs)24 (differs)
Cigarette Tax (Dollars per Pack of 20)$1.53$1.36 (differs)$3.88 (differs)$1.70 (differs)$0.64 (differs)$0.44 (differs)$0.60 (differs)
Beer Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$0.2742$0.19 (differs)$0.47 (differs)$0.1387 (differs)$0.31 (differs)$0.43 (differs)$0.0189 (differs)
Spirits Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$4.93$15.14 (differs)$8.74 (differs)$10.55 (differs)$3.75 (differs)$4.93$0.00 (differs)
Vapor Tax Ratio to Cigarette Taxn.a.n.a.248.5833% (differs)n.a.5.00% (differs)n.a.39.25% (differs)

Sales Taxes: Business-to-Business Exemptions

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Business InputsSome TaxableSome TaxableSome Taxablen.a. (differs)Some TaxableSome TaxableSome Taxable
Farm EquipmentTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Partial (differs)Exempt (differs)
Office EquipmentTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxable
Manufacturing MachineryTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)
Manufacturing Raw MaterialsExemptExemptExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExemptExempt
Business Fuel and UtilitiesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Business Leases and RentalsTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxable
Information ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Software as a Service (SaaS)TaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Platform as a Service (PaaS)TaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Digital B2B ProductsTaxableExempt (differs)Taxablen.a. (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Payroll ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Data Center PurchasesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Partial (differs)
Digital Advertising TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Sales Taxes: Consumer Goods and Services in the Base

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
GroceriesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
ClothingTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)n.a. (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxable
Prescription MedicationExemptExemptExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExemptExempt
Nonprescription MedicationTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)n.a. (differs)TaxableTaxableTaxable
GasolineExemptExemptExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExemptExempt
LandscapingTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Repair ServicesTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)n.a. (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)Taxable
Real Estate ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
ParkingTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Dry CleaningTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable
Fitness ServicesTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Barber ServicesTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Veterinary ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
E-BooksTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)Taxable
Streaming VideoTaxableTaxableTaxablen.a. (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)Taxable
Medical ServicesExemptExemptExemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExemptExempt
Legal ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Financial ServicesExemptTaxable (differs)Exemptn.a. (differs)ExemptExemptExempt
Accounting ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)n.a. (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Exempt (differs)
Sales Tax HolidayNoYes (differs)Non.a. (differs)NoNoNo

Sales Taxes: Sales Tax Structure

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Uniform Base DefinitionsYesYesYesn.a. (differs)YesYesYes
Unified Tax AdministrationYesYesYesn.a. (differs)YesYesYes
Safe Harbor for Remote SellersGross Sales ThresholdGross Sales ThresholdSales or Transactions Threshold (differs)n.a. (differs)Sales or Transactions Threshold (differs)Gross Sales ThresholdGross Sales Threshold

Property Taxes: Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Property Tax Collections per Capita$1,864$2,104 (differs)$2,041 (differs)$2,173 (differs)$2,354 (differs)$1,684 (differs)$2,635 (differs)
Property Tax as a Percentage of Personal Income2.47%3.22% (differs)2.70% (differs)3.14% (differs)3.24% (differs)2.34% (differs)3.04% (differs)
Assessment LimitYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)YesYes
Levy LimitYesNo (differs)No (differs)YesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)
Capital Stock Tax RateNoneNoneNoneNoneFixed dollar payment schedule (differs)None0.02% (differs)
Capital Stock Tax Maximum Paymentn.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.$11,995 (differs)n.a.Unlimited (differs)
Payment Options for Capital Stock and Corporate Income Taxesn.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.Pay both (differs)n.a.Pay both (differs)

Property Taxes: Property Tax Bases

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Tangible Personal Property TaxPartialNo (differs)PartialYes (differs)Yes (differs)PartialYes (differs)
Tangible Personal Property De Minimis Exemptionn.a.n.a.n.a.$1,000,000 (differs)None (differs)n.a.$75,000 (differs)
Intangible Property TaxYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Inventory TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Real Estate Transfer TaxYesYesYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)No (differs)
Split RollYesYesYesYesNo (differs)YesYes
Split Roll Ratio1.232.02 (differs)2.00 (differs)1.97 (differs)1.00 (differs)1.11 (differs)1.33 (differs)
Estate TaxNoNo16% (differs)NoNoNoNo
Inheritance TaxNoNoNoNo15% (differs)NoNo
Gift TaxNoNoNoNoNoNoNo

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: UI Tax Rates

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Minimum Rate0.00%0.00%0.40% (differs)0.13% (differs)0.00%0.07% (differs)0.10% (differs)
Maximum Rate9.13%5.40% (differs)9.30% (differs)6.30% (differs)5.40% (differs)9.67% (differs)8.60% (differs)
Taxable Wage Base$15,000$20,400 (differs)$44,000 (differs)$47,300 (differs)$9,000 (differs)$46,600 (differs)$33,800 (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.00%0.00%0.10% (differs)0.00%0.00%0.01% (differs)0.00%
Most Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate9.30%7.00% (differs)9.00% (differs)6.12% (differs)5.40% (differs)5.40% (differs)8.50% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.00%0.00%0.40% (differs)1.62% (differs)0.00%0.01% (differs)0.00%
Least Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate9.45%9.00% (differs)9.40% (differs)6.12% (differs)5.40% (differs)5.40% (differs)8.50% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Total Wages0.10%0.53% (differs)0.44% (differs)0.73% (differs)0.17% (differs)0.41% (differs)0.43% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Taxable Wages0.33%0.97% (differs)0.90% (differs)1.15% (differs)0.87% (differs)0.71% (differs)0.89% (differs)
Trust Fund Solvency Ratio1.71.54 (differs)0.3 (differs)1.59 (differs)1.31 (differs)1.03 (differs)2.36 (differs)
New Employer Rate1.20%3.00% (differs)3.00% (differs)3.00% (differs)2.50% (differs)1.00% (differs)3.00% (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Experience Formulas and Charging Methods

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Experience Formula Based OnReserve RatioBenefits Ratio (differs)Benefits Ratio (differs)Reserve RatioReserve RatioReserve RatioBenefits Ratio (differs)
Benefits Charged in Proportion to Base-Period WagesNo (base-period employers in inverse chronological order)No (base-period employers in inverse chronological order)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)No (base-period employers in inverse chronological order)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Charged If Employee's Benefit Award Is ReversedNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Charged for Reimbursements on Combined Wage ClaimsYesNo (differs)No (differs)YesYesYesYes
Charged If Employee Left VoluntarilyNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Was Discharged for MisconductNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Refused Suitable WorkYesNo (differs)YesYesYesYesYes
Charged If Employee Continues to Work Part-TimeYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Other UI Base Variables

VariableSouth DakotaIowaMinnesotaMontanaNebraskaNorth DakotaWyoming
Solvency TaxYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)Yes
Taxes for Socialized Costs or Negative Balance EmployersNoNoNoNoNoNoYes (differs)
Loan and Interest Repayment SurtaxesNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)NoNoNoNo
Reserve TaxesNoYes (differs)NoNoYes (differs)NoNo
Surtaxes for UI Administration or Non-UI PurposesYesNo (differs)YesYesNo (differs)No (differs)Yes
Temporary Disability InsuranceNoNoNoNoNoNoNo
Voluntary ContributionsYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)YesYesNo (differs)
Years to Qualify for Experience Rating23 (differs)1 (differs)3 (differs)1 (differs)1 (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.

Media Contacts

Sarah Wilbur Tax Foundation Media Relations Contact

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.