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Fact #533: August 25, 2008
Gasoline Excise Tax Rates by State, 2008

The tax rates for gasoline can vary substantially from state to state. Alaska has by far the lowest tax rate at 8 cents per gallon while Washington State has the highest tax rate at 37.5 cents per gallon. The Fact of The Week for next week will show the tax rates for diesel fuel.

Gasoline Excise Tax Rates by State, 2008
Graphic showing the 2008 gasoline excise tax for each state. For more detailed information, see the table below.

Notes:

  1. Tax rates do not include local option taxes. In AL, 1 - 3 cents; HI, 8.8 to 18.0 cent; IL, 5 cents in Chicago and 6 cents in Cook county (gasoline only); NV, 4.0 to 9.0 cents; OR, 1 to 3 cents; SD and TN, one cent; and VA 2%.
  2. Local taxes for gasoline and gasohol vary from 10.2 cents to 18.2 cents. Plus a 2.07 cent per gallon pollution tax.
  3. Tax rate is based on the average wholesale price and is adjusted quarterly. The actual rates are: KY, 9%; and NC, 17.5¢ + 7%.
  4. Portion of the rate is adjustable based on maintenance costs, sales volume, cost of fuel to state government, or inflation.
  5. Tax rate is reduced by the percentage of ethanol used in blending (reported rate assumes the max. 10% ethanol).

Supporting Information

Gasoline Excise Tax Rates by State, 2008
State Tax
Alabama /1 18.0
Alaska 8.0
Arizona 18.0
Arkansas 21.5
California 18.0
Colorado 22.0
Connecticut 25.0
Delaware 23.0
Dist. of Columbia /5 20.0
Florida /2 15.6
Georgia 18.5
Hawaii /1 17.0
Idaho /5 26.0
Illinois /1 20.1
Indiana 18.0
Iowa 20.7
Kansas 24.0
Kentucky /3 21.0
Louisiana 20.0
Maine /4 27.6
Maryland 23.5
Massachusetts 21.0
Michigan 19.0
Minnesota 20.0
Mississippi 18.4
Missouri 17.6
Montana 27.0
Nebraska /4 23.9
Nevada /1 24.1
New Hampshire 19.6
New Jersey 14.5
New Mexico 18.9
New York 24.4
North Carolina /3 30.2
North Dakota 23.0
Ohio 28.0
Oklahoma 17.0
Oregon /1 24.0
Pennsylvania 31.2
Rhode Island 31.0
South Carolina 16.0
South Dakota /1 22.0
Tennessee /1 21.4
Texas 20.0
Utah 24.5
Vermont 20.0
Virginia /1 17.5
Washington 37.5
West Virginia 32.2
Wisconsin /4 32.9
Wyoming 14.0

Source: Federal Tax Administrators, Motor Fuel Excise Tax Rates, January 1, 2008.

 

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