“Arkansas would benefit from comprehensive, pro-growth reform; Arkansans are not under-taxed; taxes and rates do matter to entrepreneurs; dynamic scoring of tax changes and effects provides benefits.” Arkansas Policy Foundation Mission Statement

(December 2021) A pending proposal to reduce Arkansas’ top income tax rate from 5.9% to 4.9% would improve the state economy’s competitive position in the 12-state Southeast region, Federation of Tax Administrators records show.

Pre-Tax Cut

South Carolina

 

7.00%

West Virginia 6.5%
Louisiana 6.0%
Arkansas 5.9%
Georgia and Virginia 5.75%
North Carolina 5.25%
Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi 5.0%
Florida and Tennessee No state income tax
Post-Tax Cut

South Carolina

 

 

7.00%

West Virginia 6.5%
Louisiana 6.0%
Georgia and Virginia 5.75%
North Carolina 5.25%
Alabama, Kentucky and Mississippi 5.0%
Arkansas 4.9%
Florida and Tennessee No state income tax

 

 

 

Arkansas’ position would also improve versus border states.

 

Pre-Tax Cut

Louisiana

 

6.0%

Arkansas 5.9%
Missouri 5.4%
Mississippi and Oklahoma 5.0%
Tennessee and Texas No state income tax
 

Post-Tax Cut

Louisiana

 

 

6.0%

Missouri 5.4%
Mississippi and Oklahoma 5.0%
Arkansas 4.9%
Tennessee and Texas No state income tax

Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson has announced his intention to call a special legislative session in December to lower state income tax rates.

Tax rates are a factor of economic development, along with a skilled work force, infrastructure, non-arbitrary regulatory environment and other issues that vary from state to state.

— Greg Kaza

Source: State Individual Income Tax Rates – January 1, 2021 (taxadmin.org)