Illinois and Utah Move in Opposite Directions over Tax Reform

Here are the major differences (and one similarity) between tax reforms currently being proposed in Illinois and Utah.

Illinois--Reform is being pushed by the education community, not by top lawmakers.
Utah--Reform was proposed by the outgoing governor and recommended by a state government commission.

Illinois--Tax reform aims to increase tax revenues.
Utah--Tax reform aims to be tax-revenue neutral.

Illinois--Personal income tax rate would increase from 3 percent to 5 percent for households earning $50,000 or more.
Utah--Personal income tax rate would drop from a high of 7 percent to a flat 4.9 percent for everyone.

Illinois--State sales tax would be increased for certain consumer services, exceeding 9 percent in several localities.
Utah--State sales tax rate would be rolled back one percentage point to 3.75 percent.

Illinois--State corporate tax rate would be increased from 4.8 percent to 8 percent.
Utah--State corporate income tax would be abolished.

Illinois--Local property taxes would initially decrease, but there is no assurance they wouldn’t soon start to rise again.
Utah--Local property taxes could increase.

Illinois--Reform would broaden the state sales tax base.
Utah--Reform would broaden the state sales tax base.

-- J.S.