Highest Sales Tax In The Nation? Louisiana Maintains Top Spot

BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana charges its consumers a higher average sales tax than any other state.

         The Tax Foundation released its updated national review of the rates Wednesday. The analysis from the Washington-based organization found Louisiana maintained its top spot at a combined state and local sales tax rate averaging slightly more than 10 percent.

         States in the top five also included Tennessee, Arkansas, Washington and Alabama.

         Louisiana has a 5 percent state sales tax and an average local sales tax rate topping 5 percent, one of the highest local rates in the nation.

         Louisiana could dip slightly lower in the rankings by mid-2018 when a 1 percent temporary state sales tax enacted last year expires. But lawmakers have suggested they may consider renewing the sales tax to address a looming budget gap.