This Is the Average Tax Debt in Every State

Follow along to see how the states and the District of Columbia rank for average federal and state tax debt, plus the most common reasons taxpayers are in debt. The countdown ends with the state where people who are behind on their taxes owe close to $30,000, on average.

51. New Mexico

In New Mexico, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $13,878.

New Mexicans' top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (cited by 16.75% of respondents).
2. Taxes were never filed (cited by 16.23%).
3. Taxes were greater than expected (13.09%)

Find a financial adviser in minutes

Sponsored

Are you confident in your retirement savings? Get advice on your investment portfolio from a certified professional through WiserAdvisor. It only takes 5 minutes to connect with an adviser who puts you first.

Get Started

50. West Virginia

In West Virginia, delinquent taxpayers owe an average of $14,325 each.

Among West Virginians, the top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.43%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (12.77%).
3. Taxes were never filed (12.23%).

49. North Carolina

People in North Carolina with unpaid tax bills are in the hole by an average $14,657 apiece.

The top three reasons for tax debt in the Tar Heel State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (19.04%).
2. Taxes were never filed (13.53%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.30%).

Get your FREE credit score and see what you can do

Sponsored

Sign up for Credit Sesame and see everything your credit score can do for you, find the best interest rates, and save more money at every step of the way. You can even find and apply for credits cards based on your credit profile and build credit with your debit purchases.

Get Started—100% Free

48. Louisiana

In Louisiana, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $14,731

The Pelican State's top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (17.57%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.02%).
3. Taxes were never filed (13.01%).

47. South Carolina

In South Carolina, delinquent taxpayers owe $14,772, on average.

The top three reasons for tax debt in the Palmetto State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (16.09%).
2. Taxes were never filed (13.79%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (12.81%).

46. Utah

People who are behind on their taxes in Utah owe an average $14,875 per person.

Among people in the Beehive State, the three most common reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (18.55%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (16.29%).
3. Taxes were never filed (12.22%).

45. Missouri

People in Missouri with unpaid tax bills are in the red by an average $14,961 each.

Missourians' top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (13.39%).
2. Taxes were never filed (12.17%).
3. Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (11.30%).

44. Mississippi

In Mississippi, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $15,003.

Among Mississippians, the top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were never filed (17.17%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (16.57%).
3. Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (12.65%).

43. Oklahoma

In Oklahoma, delinquent taxpayers owe an average of $15,103 per person.

The top three reasons for tax debt in the Sooner State are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.33%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (14.84%).
3. Taxes were never filed (13.63%).

42. Indiana

People who are behind on their taxes in Indiana are in the hole by an average $15,589 each.

The top three reasons for tax debt among Hoosiers are:

1. Taxes were never filed (14.68%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (14.22%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.61%).

41. Alabama

In Alabama, taxpayers with delinquencies owe $15,642, on average.

The three most common reasons for tax debt in the Yellowhammer State are:

1. Taxes were never filed (16.62%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (14.41%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.68%).

40. Georgia

In Georgia, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $15,781.

Among Georgians, the top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (17.90%).
2. Taxes were never filed (15.88%).
3. Taxes were greater than expected (13.12%).

39. Tennessee

People in Tennessee with unpaid tax bills owe an average $15,916 each.

The top three reasons for tax debt in the Volunteer State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (18.77%)
2. Taxes were never filed (14.80%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (12.64%).

Note that Tennessee doesn't have a state tax on wage income.

38. Arizona

In Arizona, delinquent taxpayers owe an average of $15,978 each.

The three most common reasons people have tax debt in the Grand Canyon State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (15.23%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.73%).
3. Taxes were never filed (13.73%).

37. Ohio

In Ohio, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $16,012.

Among people in the Buckeye State, the top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were never filed (16.36%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (15.81%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.49%).

36. Arkansas

People who owe money on their taxes in Arkansas are in the red by an average $16,197 per person.

The top three reasons for tax debt in the Natural State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (16.08%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.33%).
3. Taxes were never filed (12.81%).

35. Texas

In Texas, taxpayers who are delinquent owe an average of $16,378 each.

Among people in the Lone Star State, the three most common reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were never filed (16.15%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (15.37%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.20%).

Note that Texas is one of the seven states that don't have a state income tax.

34. Maryland

In Maryland, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $16,391.

Marylanders' top three reasons for winding up with tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (18.91%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.81%).
3. (tie) Taxes were never filed (12.41%).
4. (tie) Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (12.41%).

33. Nevada

In Nevada, delinquent taxpayers owe an average of $16,448 each.

These are the three most common reasons for tax debt in the Silver State:

1. Taxes were never filed (16.16%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (15.85%).
3. (tie) Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (10.98%).
4. (tie) Penalties built up from back taxes (10.98%).

Note that Nevada is another state that doesn't have a state income tax.

32. Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, people who are behind on their taxes owe an average $16,674 per person.

The three biggest reasons residents of the Keystone State have tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (18.81%).
2. Taxes were never filed (14.60%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.25%).

31. New Hampshire

People in New Hampshire with unpaid tax bills are in the hole by an average $16,756 per person.

The three most common reasons for tax debt in the Granite State are:

1. Taxes were never filed (14.81%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.81%).
3. Taxes were greater than expected (13.58%).

Note that New Hampshire doesn't have a state tax on wage income.

30. Rhode Island

In Rhode Island, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $16,875.

Rhode Islanders' top three reasons for having tax debt are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (16.67%).
2. Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (16.67%).
3. Taxes were never filed (15.15%).

29. Minnesota

In Minnesota, delinquent taxpayers owe an average of $16,889 each.

The three biggest reasons for tax debt in the North Star State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (18.13%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (16.21%).
3. Taxes were never filed (12.91%).

28. California

People in California with unpaid tax bills are in the red by an average $17,096 apiece.

Californians' most common reasons for falling into tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (14.99%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.51%).
3. Taxes were never filed (14.23%).

27. Virginia

Taxpayers who are delinquent in Virginia owe $17,104, on average.

In the Old Dominion, the top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (17.97%).
2. Taxes were never filed (13.56%).
3. (tie) Penalties built up from back taxes (13.39%).
4. (tie) Divorce (13.39%).

26. Iowa

In Iowa, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $17,167.

The most frequent reasons residents of the Hawkeye State find themselves with tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (16.10%).
2. Divorce (15.25%).
3. Taxes were never filed (14.41%).

25. Kentucky

In Kentucky, delinquent taxpayers owe an average of $17,459 per person.

The top reasons for tax debt in the Bluegrass State are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.02%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (12.81%).
3. Taxes were never filed (11.08%).

24. Colorado

In Colorado, people with unpaid tax bills are in the hole by $17,493, on average.

The biggest reasons for tax debt in the Centennial State are:

1. Taxes were never filed (16.10%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.31%).
3. Taxes were greater than expected (14.51%).

23. Florida

In Florida, taxpayers who are delinquent owe an average $17,526 each.

The most common reasons people get into trouble with tax debt in the Sunshine State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (16.41%).
2. Taxes were never filed (15.09%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.65%).

Note that Florida is another state that doesn't have a state income tax.

22. Oregon

In Oregon, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $17,698.

Among residents of the Beaver State, the top reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (18.69%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.64%).
3. Taxes were never filed (12.46%).

21. Kansas

In Kansas, delinquent taxpayers owe a steep $17,776, on average.

The top three reasons for tax debt in the Sunflower State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (13.65%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (12.29%).
3. Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (12.29%).

20. Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, the average debt among people who are behind on their taxes is $18,146.

The three biggest reasons residents of the Badger State wind up in tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (15.31%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.33%).
3. Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket ( 11.60%).

19. Michigan

Taxpayers who have fallen behind on paying in Michigan owe an average $18,199 each.

The top three reasons for tax debt in the Great Lakes State (or the Wolverine State — take your pick) are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (15.40%).
2. Taxes were never filed (14.03%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.49%).

18. Washington

In Washington state, taxpayers who are delinquent owe an average $18,250 per person.

The three most common reasons for tax debt in the Evergreen State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (17.26%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.80%).
3. Divorce (12.47%).

Note that Washington is another state that doesn't have a state income tax.

17. Illinois

In Illinois, the average debt among people who have fallen behind on their taxes is $18,409.

The Prairie State's three biggest reasons for tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (15.67%).
2. Taxes were never filed (14.46%).
3. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.47%).

16. New York

In New York, delinquent taxpayers owe a sizable $18,489, on average.

The top three reasons for tax debt among New Yorkers are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (15.08%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.77%).
3. Taxes were never filed (13.48%).

15. New Jersey

In New Jersey, taxpayers who have fallen behind owe an average $18,741 per person.

Among people who live in the Garden State, the most common reasons for tax debt are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (17.22%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (15.01%).
3. Taxes were never filed (13.27%).

14. Montana

In Montana, taxpayers who are delinquent owe an average $19,226 each.

The three top reasons for tax debt in the Big Sky State are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (21.05%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (11.84%).
3. (tie) Taxes were never filed (10.53%)
4. (tie) Divorce (10.53%)

13. Nebraska

In Nebraska, the average debt among people who have fallen behind on their taxes is $19,241

The three biggest reasons Nebraskans get into trouble with tax debt are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (20.56%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.08%).
3. Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (11.21%).

12. Hawaii

In Hawaii, the average tax debt per person is $19,470.

The top reasons people fall behind on their taxes in the Aloha State are:

1. Taxes were never filed (15.88%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (15.29%).
3. (tie) Divorce (13.53%).
4. (tie) Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (13.53%).

11. Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, taxpayers who are delinquent owe an average $19,500 per person.

Residents of the Bay State most often fall into tax debt because of:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.40%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (15.15%).
3. Divorce (14.65%).

10. District of Columbia

In Washington, D.C., the average debt among people who have fallen behind on their taxes is $19,586.

The top three reasons for tax debt in the nation's capital are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (21.05%).
2. Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (17.54%).
3. (tie) Taxes were never filed (14.04%).
4. (tie) Divorce (14.04%).

9. Delaware

In this small state, delinquent taxpayers owe an outsize $19,783, on average.

The three biggest reasons for tax debt in Delaware are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected ( 17.59%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (15.74%).
3. Taxpayer moved into a higher tax bracket (13.89%).

8. Idaho

In Idaho, people with unpaid tax bills are in the red by an average $20,317 per person.

The three most common reasons for tax debt in the Gem State are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (16.67%).
2. Divorce (14.17%).
3. Taxes were greater than expected (13.33%).

7. Connecticut

In Connecticut, taxpayers who are delinquent are behind to the tune of $20,399, on average.

The top three reasons residents of the Nutmeg State fall into tax debt are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.04%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (12.98%).
3. Taxes were never filed (12.63%).

6. Alaska

In Alaska, the average debt among people who owe tax money is $20,433.

The three biggest reasons for tax debt in the Last Frontier are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (14.93%).
2. Taxes were never filed (14.18%).
3. Divorce (11.19%).

Note that Alaska is another state that doesn't have a state income tax.

5. Maine

In Maine, delinquent taxpayers owe an average $20,471 per person.

The Pine Tree State's three most common reasons for tax debt are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (18.95%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (13.68%).
3. Taxes were never filed (13.68%).

4. South Dakota

In South Dakota, people with unpaid tax bills are in the hole by an average $21,071 per person.

Among residents of the Mount Rushmore State, the top three reasons for tax debt are:

1. Penalties built up from back taxes (21.82%).
2. Taxes were never filed (18.18%).
3. Divorce (10.91%)

Note that South Dakota is another state that doesn't have its own income tax.

3. Wyoming

In Wyoming, delinquent taxpayers owe an hefty $21,095, on average.

The three biggest reasons for tax debt in this scenic state are:

1. Divorce (19.05%).
2. Taxes were greater than expected (19.05%).
3. (tie) Taxes were never filed (9.52%).
4. (tie) Penalties built up from back taxes (9.52%).

Note that Wyoming is yet another state that doesn't have its own income tax.

2. North Dakota

In North Dakota, the average tax debt per person is $23,671.

North Dakotans' top reasons for winding up with unpaid tax bills are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (23.53%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (13.73%).
3. Divorce (11.76%).

1. Vermont

Using Solvable's data, LendEDU found that the state with the highest average tax debt is Vermont. Here, people who have fallen behind on their taxes owe $28,862, on average.

The three most common reasons for tax debt in the Green Mountain State are:

1. Taxes were greater than expected (18.52%).
2. Penalties built up from back taxes (18.52%).
3. Business tax issues (14.81%).