Sales Tax Holidays by State, 2026
However well-intended they may be, sales tax holidays remain the same as they always have been—ineffective and inefficient.
12 min read
All Related Articles
Taxing Data Processing Doesn’t Just Tax Big Tech
Policymakers are increasingly considering taxes on data processing and other businesses’ digital services, but these taxes increase costs at many stages of the production process for virtually all businesses, not just tech-oriented businesses.
7 min read
State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026
The five states with the highest average combined state and local sales tax rates are Louisiana (10.13 percent), Tennessee (9.61 percent), Washington (9.57 percent), Arkansas (9.48 percent), and Alabama (9.46 percent).
8 min read
State and Local Tax Collections Per Capita by State, 2026
Tax collections vary widely by state, making per capita collections figures—a measure of collections per person—especially useful, as they allow comparisons across differences in tax rates and bases, economic capacities, and policy decisions that impact the size and scope of government.
5 min read
Georgia Needs to Aim for True Tax Improvement, not Just Change
It’s for good reason that Georgia wants to eliminate the income tax and rein in property taxes. However, the changes Georgia would need to make to accomplish these goals would work against its overall competitiveness.
8 min read
Facts & Figures 2026: How Does Your State Compare?
Facts & Figures serves as a one-stop state tax data resource that compares all 50 states on over 40 measures of tax rates, collections, burdens, and more.
2 min read
Why Centralizing Louisiana’s Sales Tax Collection Is Smart
Enacting centralized sales tax collection and administration in Louisiana will help simplify the sales tax code and alleviate one of the issues that make it the least competitive sales tax regime in the country.
4 min read
2025 European Tax Policy Scorecard
The variety of approaches to taxation among European countries creates a need to evaluate these systems relative to each other. For that purpose, we have developed the European Tax Policy Scorecard—a relative comparison of European countries’ tax systems.
55 min read
New CEA Report Dramatically Underestimates the Cost of Replacing State Income Taxes
While the CEA’s analysis of the benefits of reduced reliance on income taxes is sound, its revenue replacement estimates are not. The actual revenue replacement rate could be as high as 17.51 percent.
6 min read
North Carolina Does Not Need Higher Local Taxes
As a result of state-level reforms, the expansion of the sales tax base, and rising property valuations, North Carolina’s local governments have seen remarkable revenue growth in recent years.
13 min read
State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026
Retail sales taxes are an essential part of most states’ revenue toolkits, responsible for nearly a quarter of combined state and local tax collections.
18 min read
How Scandinavian Countries Pay for Their Government Spending
Scandinavian countries are well known for their broad social safety nets and their public funding of services such as universal health care, higher education, parental leave, and child and elderly care. High levels of government spending naturally require high levels of taxation. So, how do these countries raise their tax revenues?
7 min read
Wyoming Attracts Considerable Data Center Investment—but Could Easily Lose It
While Wyoming is outcompeting California in attracting data centers due to affordability and sound tax policy, lawmakers should avoid imposing discriminatory sales tax on data centers’ machinery and equipment (M&E) purchases.
6 min read
Chicago Bears Threaten Relocation over Illinois Taxes
The Chicago Bears are threatening to relocate from Illinois to Indiana as they negotiate over taxes and public financing. Illinois’ uncompetitive and burdensome tax environment makes it difficult for the NFL team to operate.
4 min read
State Taxation of Data Centers
Data centers face high tax burdens and are particularly substantial contributors to local coffers, but poor tax structure can drive these operations to other locations and deprive local governments of a major revenue stream.
22 min read
State Tax Changes Taking Effect January 1, 2026
Forty-three states will ring in 2026 with notable tax changes. Eight states will see reduced individual income tax rates in the new year while four states will see reduced corporate income tax rates.
30 min read
Modernizing PL 86-272: Balancing State Tax Authority with Interstate Commerce Protections
Public Law 86-272’s vague language, limited scope, and failure to evolve with modern commerce has rendered it increasingly ineffective, burdening businesses with heightened litigation and compliance challenges.
26 min read
Rental Car Taxes by State, 2025
Americans may be surprised to see just how much they are taxed for renting a car.
5 min read
Taxes at Every Level
Each level of government provides its own services and therefore levies its own taxes to generate revenue for these services.
Movers and Shakers in the 2026 State Tax Competitiveness Index
In the spirit of change and improvement, it’s worth looking back to see which states have truly embraced tax competitiveness since 2020, and which ones have lagged behind.
6 min read