Florida Ranks Among the Best for Taxes, Worst for Tax Help

When it comes to low taxes, only a few states across the country manage to beat out Florida in regard to rates, but getting help filing returns is another matter entirely.

WalletHub, a website dedicated to all things financial, recently delved deep into the issues of taxes and tax preparation help just in time for the IRS’ April 15 filing deadline’s imminent arrival.

With no state income tax, the Florida ranks No. 4 for the lowest average annual state and local taxes with an estimate of $3,648, according to the WalletHub study. That website ranked the 50 states and Washington, D.C., based on such factors as tax rates, how the rates compare nationally and how they stack up against the cost-of-living index.

When all was said and done only Wyoming, Alaska and Nevada beat out sunny Florida for low taxes. New York topped the chart on the expensive end with its $9,718 average annual tax estimate.

To see the complete rundown, check out WalletHub’s Best & Worst States to Be a Taxpayer report.

While Florida taxpayers are lucky in regard to what they pay out on the state and local level, finding help with federal forms is another matter entirely, the website concludes. WalletHub’s 2015 Best & Worst States for Finding Tax Help rankings put Florida near the bottom, tied for 45th place. Factors considered for those rankings included the number of accountants per 1,000 people, the affordability of tax help, accounting job openings and so on.

The areas that ranked the best included North Dakota, Massachusetts, the District of Columba, Minnesota and Colorado and Connecticut, which tied for fifth place. At the bottom of the barrel with Florida are such states as Louisiana, North Carolina, Mississippi, Arkansas and Idaho.

Check out the full tax help study on WalletHub.

Image via Shutterstock

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