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Texas ranks 5th overall on the 2027 State Tax Competitiveness Index.

Score 6.12 / 10

About Texas's Tax Code

Texas boasts a regionally and nationally competitive tax code. The state does not impose an individual income tax. However, unlike most other states without an individual income tax, Texas (like Washington) applies the corporate gross receipts tax (also known as the “margin tax”) to S corporations and LLCs when others accord them pass-through status.

The margin tax is complex and burdensome. As a modified gross receipts tax, it applies to a firm’s total sales with limited deductions, rather than being imposed on profits.

In 2025, Texas voted to increase the homestead exemption on residential property from $100,000 to $140,000 ($200,000 for the elderly, disabled, and disabled veterans). This exemption is limited to school district property taxes alone, and the state replaces lost education funding with general fund revenue. Instead of shifting the tax burden directly to commercial property and renters like most homestead exemptions, this policy redirects the burden to the state’s general revenue sources, and thus to all taxpayers regardless of home ownership.

Texas treats remote sellers and marketplace facilitators competitively, using a gross sales threshold to require collection and remittance. Additionally, the dollar threshold is $500,000, greater than in most other states, which better aligns the threshold with the size of the state’s economy.

Component Scores

#5 overall · 6.12 / 10

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

2.557.510CorporateIndividualIncomeSalesPropertyUnemploymentInsurance
Texas Rank and Score by Component
Component Rank Score
Corporate Taxes #46 4.13 / 10
Individual Income Taxes #1 10.00 / 10
Sales Taxes #35 4.25 / 10
Property Taxes #34 4.84 / 10
Unemployment Insurance Taxes #31 4.83 / 10

Ranking Changes, 2020–2027

#5 in 2027 · up 2 places from 2020

Texas ranked 7th in 2020 and ranks 5th in 2027, an improvement of 2 places. The axis is zoomed to the state's range. Ranks for 2020 through 2026 are backcast under the current methodology.

RankHigher is better ↑4th5th6th7th8th2020202120222023202420252026202777777775
Show the Table
Texas Rank and Score by Year
Year OverallCorporateIndividual IncomeSalesPropertyUnemployment Insurance
2020 7 (5.90) 47 (3.87) 1 (10.00) 38 (4.15) 37 (4.43) 32 (4.75)
2021 7 (5.92) 47 (3.87) 1 (10.00) 39 (4.16) 37 (4.44) 33 (4.77)
2022 7 (5.97) 46 (3.91) 1 (10.00) 38 (4.20) 39 (4.38) 31 (4.80)
2023 7 (5.95) 46 (4.00) 1 (10.00) 38 (4.15) 42 (4.17) 30 (4.85)
2024 7 (5.98) 46 (3.99) 1 (10.00) 38 (4.18) 41 (4.27) 31 (4.76)
2025 7 (5.97) 46 (3.98) 1 (10.00) 38 (4.18) 39 (4.29) 31 (4.74)
2026 7 (6.06) 46 (4.07) 1 (10.00) 36 (4.23) 38 (4.40) 30 (4.83)
2027 5 (6.12) 46 (4.13) 1 (10.00) 35 (4.25) 34 (4.84) 31 (4.83)

Texas Compared across the States

#5 overall

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

#5 6.12

Corporate Taxes

#46 4.13

Individual Income Taxes

#1 10.00

Sales Taxes

#35 4.25

Property Taxes

#34 4.84

Unemployment Insurance Taxes

#31 4.83

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

Texas and Its Neighbors

#5 overall

Texas borders 4 states and ranks 5th overall; it outranks every one of them.

Texas Bordering states

What Each Component Includes

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

  • Corporate Taxes

    Rank #46

    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 Texas →
  • 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 Texas →
  • Sales Taxes

    Rank #35

    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 Texas →
  • Property Taxes

    Rank #34

    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 Texas →
  • Unemployment Insurance Taxes

    Rank #31

    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 Texas →

Tax Data Explorer

Every policy variable behind Texas'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.

155 data points · Shaded values differ from Texas

Corporate Taxes: Corporate Income Tax Rates

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Bracket 1None1.0% > $0 (differs)5.5% > $0 (differs)5.9% > $0 (differs)4.0% > $0 (differs)
Bracket 2n.a.2.0% > $3,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.
Bracket 3n.a.3.0% > $6,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.
Bracket 4n.a.4.3% > $11,000 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.
Gross Receipts TaxYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Minimum Rate0.331%n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Maximum Rate0.75%n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Gross Receipts Tax Rate Used in the Index0.75%n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Tax Credits and Gross Receipts Deductions

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Job CreditsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Research and Development CreditsYesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Investment CreditsNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Compensation Expenses DeductiblePartialn.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)
Cost of Goods Sold DeductiblePartialn.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)n.a. (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Net Operating Losses

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Conforms to Federal NOL Treatmentn.a.No (differs)No (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Carryback (Years)n.a.0 (differs)0 (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)
Carryback Capn.a.$0 (differs)$0 (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)
Carryforward (Years)n.a.10 (differs)Unlimited (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)
Carryforward Capn.a.Unlimited (differs)72% (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)Conforms to federal treatment (differs)

Corporate Taxes: Treatment of Capital Investment

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Section 168(k) Expensing100%0% (differs)100%100%100%
Conforms to Section 163(j) LimitationNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
GILTI Inclusionn.a.Decouples (differs)Decouples (differs)Decouples (differs)Decouples (differs)
Section 174 ExpensingYesYesYesYesYes
Section 168(n) ExpensingYesNo (differs)YesYesYes

Corporate Taxes: Other Corporate Base Variables

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Federal Income Used as State Tax BasePartialNo (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Conformity StatusRollingStatic (not current) (differs)RollingRollingRolling
Allows Federal ACRS or MACRS DepreciationYesYesYesYesYes
Allows Federal DepletionYesYesPartial (differs)YesYes
Throwback RuleNoYes (differs)NoYes (differs)Yes (differs)
Foreign Tax DeductibilityYesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Corporate AMTNoNoNoNoNo
Brackets Indexed for InflationGRTNo (differs)Flat CIT (differs)Flat CIT (differs)Flat CIT (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Individual Income Tax Rates

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Bracket 1No Income Tax2.0% > $0 (differs)3.0% > $0 (differs)1.5% > $0 (differs)2.5% > $3,750 (differs)
Bracket 2n.a.3.7% > $4,700 (differs)n.a.3.2% > $5,500 (differs)3.5% > $4,900 (differs)
Bracket 3n.a.n.a.n.a.4.3% > $16,500 (differs)4.5% > $7,200 (differs)
Bracket 4n.a.n.a.n.a.4.7% > $33,500 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 5n.a.n.a.n.a.4.9% > $66,500 (differs)n.a.
Bracket 6n.a.n.a.n.a.5.9% > $210,000 (differs)n.a.
Standard Deduction (Single Filer)n.a.$2,470 (differs)$12,875 (differs)$16,100 (differs)$6,350 (differs)
Personal Exemption (Single Filer)n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.$1,000 (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit (Single Filer)n.a.$29 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.
Personal Exemption per Dependentn.a.n.a.n.a.$4,000 (differs)$1,000 (differs)
Personal Exemption Credit per Dependentn.a.$29 (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.
Average Local Income Tax RateNoneNoneNoneNoneNone
Surtaxes on Wage Incomen.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.n.a.

Individual Income Taxes: Marriage Penalty, Capital Income, Indexation

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Marriage Penaltyn.a.Yes (differs)No (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)
Married Couples Can File Separately on One Returnn.a.Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Convenience RuleNoNoNoNoNo
Interest Taxedn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Dividends Taxedn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Capital Gains Taxedn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Combined Capital Gains Tax Raten.a.1.85% (differs)3% (differs)5.9% (differs)4.5% (differs)
Tax Brackets Indexed for Inflationn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Standard Deduction Indexed for Inflationn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)
Personal Exemption Indexed for Inflationn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)No (differs)
Progressivity Ration.a.1.00 (differs)1.00 (differs)1.37 (differs)1.00 (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Base Variables

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Federal Income Used as State Tax Basen.a.No (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
Conformity Statusn.a.Static (not current) (differs)Rolling (differs)Rolling (differs)Rolling (differs)
Credits for Taxes Paid to Other Statesn.a.Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)Yes (differs)
AMT Leviedn.a.No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Recognition of S Corporation StatusYesYesYesYesYes
Section 179 Expensing Limit$2,560,000$1,250,000 (differs)$2,560,000$2,560,000$2,560,000
Tipsn.a.Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Overtimen.a.Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
Filing and Withholding Threshold Index100 (differs)102.5 (differs)0.735 (differs)

Individual Income Taxes: Other Individual Income Variables

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Income Recapturen.a.Yes (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)

Sales Taxes: Sales and Excise Tax Rates

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
State Sales Tax Rate6.25%6.50% (differs)5.00% (differs)4.88% (differs)4.50% (differs)
Average Local Sales Tax Rate1.95%2.98% (differs)5.13% (differs)2.80% (differs)4.56% (differs)
Maximum Local Sales Tax Rate2.00%6.125% (differs)7.00% (differs)4.5625% (differs)7.00% (differs)
Gasoline Tax (Cents per Gallon)20.0025.00 (differs)20.93 (differs)18.88 (differs)20.00
Diesel Tax (Cents per Gallon)2028.8 (differs)20.93 (differs)22.88 (differs)20
Cigarette Tax (Dollars per Pack of 20)$1.41$1.15 (differs)$1.08 (differs)$2.00 (differs)$2.03 (differs)
Beer Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$0.1935$0.3722 (differs)$0.4032 (differs)$0.41 (differs)$0.4032 (differs)
Spirits Tax (Dollars per Gallon)$2.40$9.76 (differs)$3.03 (differs)$6.06 (differs)$5.56 (differs)
Vapor Tax Ratio to Cigarette Taxn.a.n.a.15.00% (differs)27.7778% (differs)n.a.

Sales Taxes: Business-to-Business Exemptions

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Business InputsSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome TaxableSome Taxable
Farm EquipmentExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Partial (differs)Exempt
Office EquipmentTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Manufacturing MachineryExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Manufacturing Raw MaterialsExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Business Fuel and UtilitiesExemptPartial (differs)Partial (differs)ExemptExempt
Business Leases and RentalsTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Information ServicesTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableTaxableExempt (differs)
Software as a Service (SaaS)PartialExempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Platform as a Service (PaaS)PartialExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Digital B2B ProductsTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)
Payroll ServicesPartialExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)Taxable (differs)Exempt (differs)
Data Center PurchasesPartialExempt (differs)Exempt (differs)PartialTaxable (differs)
Digital Advertising TaxNoNoNoYes (differs)No

Sales Taxes: Consumer Goods and Services in the Base

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
GroceriesExemptAlternate Rate (differs)ExemptExemptAlternate Rate (differs)
ClothingTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Prescription MedicationExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
Nonprescription MedicationExemptTaxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)Taxable (differs)
GasolineExemptExemptExemptExemptExempt
LandscapingTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)TaxableExempt (differs)
Repair ServicesTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)
Real Estate ServicesExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
ParkingTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Dry CleaningTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)
Fitness ServicesTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxable
Barber ServicesExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Veterinary ServicesExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
E-BooksTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)
Streaming VideoTaxableTaxableTaxableTaxableExempt (differs)
Medical ServicesExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Legal ServicesExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Financial ServicesExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Accounting ServicesExemptExemptExemptTaxable (differs)Exempt
Sales Tax HolidayYesYesYesYesYes

Sales Taxes: Sales Tax Structure

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Uniform Base DefinitionsYesYesNo (differs)YesYes
Unified Tax AdministrationYesYesPartial (differs)YesYes
Safe Harbor for Remote SellersGross Sales ThresholdSales or Transactions Threshold (differs)Gross Sales ThresholdGross Sales ThresholdGross Sales Threshold

Property Taxes: Property and Capital Stock Tax Rates

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Property Tax Collections per Capita$2,320$961 (differs)$1,191 (differs)$1,251 (differs)$996 (differs)
Property Tax as a Percentage of Personal Income3.33%1.62% (differs)1.93% (differs)2.14% (differs)1.56% (differs)
Assessment LimitYesYesNo (differs)YesYes
Levy LimitYesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Capital Stock Tax RateNone0.3% (differs)NoneNoneNone
Capital Stock Tax Maximum Paymentn.a.Unlimited (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.
Payment Options for Capital Stock and Corporate Income Taxesn.a.Pay both (differs)n.a.n.a.n.a.

Property Taxes: Property Tax Bases

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Tangible Personal Property TaxYesYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Tangible Personal Property De Minimis Exemption$125,000None (differs)None (differs)n.a. (differs)None (differs)
Intangible Property TaxNoNoYes (differs)NoNo
Inventory TaxYesYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Real Estate Transfer TaxNoYes (differs)NoNoYes (differs)
Split RollNoNoYes (differs)Yes (differs)No
Split Roll Ratio1.001.001.50 (differs)1.11 (differs)1.00
Estate TaxNoNoNoNoNo
Inheritance TaxNoNoNoNoNo
Gift TaxNoNoNoNoNo

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: UI Tax Rates

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Minimum Rate0.25%0.20% (differs)0.09% (differs)0.33% (differs)0.20% (differs)
Maximum Rate6.25%10.10% (differs)6.20% (differs)6.40% (differs)5.80% (differs)
Taxable Wage Base$9,000$7,000 (differs)$7,000 (differs)$34,800 (differs)$25,000 (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.00%0.10% (differs)0.09% (differs)0.33% (differs)0.01% (differs)
Most Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate6.00%6.00%6.00%5.40% (differs)5.50% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Minimum Rate0.00%0.08% (differs)0.09% (differs)0.33% (differs)0.30% (differs)
Least Favorable Schedule: Maximum Rate6.00%6.00%6.00%5.40% (differs)9.20% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Total Wages0.22%0.14% (differs)0.22%0.45% (differs)0.38% (differs)
Employer Contributions as a Share of Taxable Wages1.45%0.88% (differs)1.31% (differs)0.86% (differs)0.84% (differs)
Trust Fund Solvency Ratio0.041.06 (differs)0.82 (differs)0.56 (differs)0.84 (differs)
New Employer Rate2.70%2.00% (differs)3.00% (differs)1.00% (differs)1.50% (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Experience Formulas and Charging Methods

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Experience Formula Based OnBenefits RatioReserve Ratio (differs)Reserve Ratio (differs)Benefits RatioBenefit Wage Ratio (differs)
Benefits Charged in Proportion to Base-Period WagesYesYesYesYesYes
Charged If Employee's Benefit Award Is ReversedNoNoNoNoNo
Charged for Reimbursements on Combined Wage ClaimsYesYesNo (differs)YesYes
Charged If Employee Left VoluntarilyNoNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Was Discharged for MisconductNoNoNoNoNo
Charged If Employee Refused Suitable WorkYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)
Charged If Employee Continues to Work Part-TimeYesNo (differs)No (differs)No (differs)No (differs)

Unemployment Insurance Taxes: Other UI Base Variables

VariableTexasArkansasLouisianaNew MexicoOklahoma
Solvency TaxYesYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Taxes for Socialized Costs or Negative Balance EmployersYesNo (differs)YesNo (differs)No (differs)
Loan and Interest Repayment SurtaxesYesYesYesNo (differs)No (differs)
Reserve TaxesNoNoNoNoNo
Surtaxes for UI Administration or Non-UI PurposesYesYesYesNo (differs)Yes
Temporary Disability InsuranceNoNoNoNoNo
Voluntary ContributionsYesYesYesYesNo (differs)
Years to Qualify for Experience Rating1.53 (differs)2 (differs)2 (differs)2 (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

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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.