“Who Pays Taxes in California?” by the California Budget Project is our site of the day

The California Budget Project has released a 5 page policy points brief, “Who Pays Taxes in California?” that is most appropriate for April 15. In five minutes or so, you can get a good understanding with charts, graphs, and documented information as to who pays taxes in California, who doesn't, and how California's tax systems compare to those of other states.

CBP starts off their tax day publication with a quote from former Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes that “Taxes are what we pay for civilized society.” They point out that “California state and local taxes support our public schools, streets and highways, public hospitals that form the backbone of the state's trauma care system, parks and beaches, the public health infrastructure that ensures that our food is safe to eat and our water is safe to drink (and that delivers water to homes across California), as well as a range of other services. “

This report also wisely notes that: “While the primary purpose of a tax system is to raise the money needed to support public services, tax policy can also serve as an end in itself, providing incentives for taxpayers to engage in desired activity or providing cash assistance to certain individuals.”

You’ll also get an overview of how much the “average” California family earns, who pays the corporate income tax in our state, and how California’s tax policies have changed over time.