2026 STATE TAX CHEAT SHEET These 5 states have major tax perks, but every single one has a catch.

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Keeper combines cutting edge AI and a network of tax professionals to make your taxes effortless to complete.

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The content provides high-value, actionable educational information that directly addresses a common financial pain point (taxes), making the promotion of the tool feel like a natural extension of the advice.

Summary

The post provides a breakdown of tax tradeoffs in five states known for having no income tax, highlighting the hidden costs like property or sales taxes. It concludes by promoting the Keeper tax calculator as a tool for users to compare their own tax situations.

Structure

1Hook slide identifying the premise of hidden tax tradeoffs.
2Individual slides for New Hampshire, Tennessee, Texas, Montana, and Washington detailing specific tax pros and cons.
3Final slide introducing the Keeper tax calculator and providing a CTA to the bio link.

Original caption

👀 What state do you live in and what are the tradeoffs you experience?⁠ ⁠ These 5 states look extremely tax-friendly on paper, but every single one has a tax tradeoff you might not expect 👀⁠ ⁠ No state income tax. No sales tax. Lower property taxes. These are the kinds of tax perks that make people want to pack up and move.⁠ ⁠ But “tax-friendly” depends on how you actually earn, spend, invest, and own property.⁠ ⁠ Here’s the catch in each state:⁠ ⁠ ⚠️ New Hampshire⁠ No state income tax on wages and no general sales tax, but property taxes are unusually high. The average effective property tax rate is about 1.50%, 5th highest in the U.S.⁠ ⁠ ⚠️ Tennessee⁠ No state income tax, but you pay more when you spend. The average combined state and local sales tax is 9.61%, 2nd highest in the U.S.⁠ ⁠ ⚠️ Texas⁠ No state income tax, but homeowners can give some of that advantage back through property taxes. The average effective property tax rate is about 1.40%, 7th highest in the U.S.⁠ ⁠ ⚠️ Montana⁠ No general sales tax, but Montana still taxes your income. The top state individual income tax rate is 5.65%.⁠ ⁠ ⚠️ Washington⁠ No state income tax on wages, but other taxes can still hit. The average combined state and local sales tax is 9.57%, 3rd highest in the U.S. Washington also taxes some capital gains and has a state estate tax.⁠ ⁠ What's the point?⁠ ⁠ There is no universally “lowest-tax” state. Your answer changes depending on whether most of your money comes from wages, investments, how much you spend, and whether you own a home.⁠ ⁠ Thinking about moving for lower taxes?⁠ 🔗 Link in bio to use Keeper’s free income tax calculator to compare your current state with another one before you consider moving!⁠ ⁠ 📌 Save this if moving is even remotely on your radar.⁠ ⁠ Educational only, not personalized tax advice. Rates are averages and can vary by locality and individual situation.⁠ ⁠ #statetaxes #incometax #taxtips #taxplanning #keepertax

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2026 STATE TAX CHEAT SHEET These 5 states have major tax perks, but every single one has a catch. Can you guess the hidden tax tradeoffs in each state? WA MT TX New Hampshire keeper swipe for the catches 1. NEW HAMPSHIRE No state income tax. No sales tax. But property taxes are the tradeoff. WHY PEOPLE LIKE IT No state income tax on wages No general sales tax No estate or inheritance tax THE CATCH Property taxes are unusually high. Average effective property tax: about 1.50%, 5th highest in the U.S. BOTTOM LINE Great for avoiding income and sales tax. Homeowners can give some of that advantage back through property taxes. keeper Source: Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026 (2024 ACS data). 2. TENNESSEE No state income tax. But you feel it when you spend. WHY PEOPLE LIKE IT No state income tax Relatively low property taxes No estate or inheritance tax THE CATCH You pay more when you spend. Average combined state and local sales tax: 9.61%, 2nd highest in the U.S. BOTTOM LINE Tennessee is lighter on earnings, but heavier on taxable spending. keeper Source: Tax Foundation, State & Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026. 3. TEXAS No state income tax. But that does not mean low taxes overall. WHY PEOPLE LIKE IT No state income tax No estate or inheritance tax THE CATCH Homeowners can give some of that tax advantage back. Average effective property tax: about 1.40%, 7th highest in the U.S. BOTTOM LINE Great on the income-tax side. Homeowners can give some of that advantage back through property taxes. keeper Sources: Tax Foundation, Property Taxes by State and County, 2026; State & Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026. 4. MONTANA No sales tax. But Montana still taxes your income. WHY PEOPLE LIKE IT No general sales tax Relatively low property taxes No estate or inheritance tax THE CATCH Montana still taxes your income. Top state individual income tax rate: 5.65%. BOTTOM LINE You avoid sales tax at checkout, but your income is still taxed. keeper Source: Tax Foundation, State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026. 5. WASHINGTON No state income tax on wages. But the tax bill shows up elsewhere. WHY PEOPLE LIKE IT No state income tax on wages No state tax on retirement income THE CATCH You pay more when you spend. Average combined state and local sales tax: 9.57%, 3rd highest in the U.S. Washington also taxes some capital gains and has an estate tax. BOTTOM LINE Great for wage income. Less friendly for heavy spenders and some investors. keeper Sources: Tax Foundation, State & Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026; Washington Dept. of Revenue. CHECK YOUR STATE FOR FREE Thinking about moving for lower taxes? Compare before you pack. Start with Keeper's free income tax calculator. Estimate your federal and state income tax bill in seconds, then change the state and compare the result. Link in bio to compare! -> keeper Estimates income taxes only. Sales, property, and other state or local taxes are not included. Educational not tax advice.