The Impact of Wealthy Households Moving Between States
While households earning over $200,000 annually make up a small fraction of total tax returns filed, their relocation between states packs a powerful financial punch. If a state loses more high-earning taxpayers than it gains, it could face a decline in tax revenues, affecting its fiscal stability. Even though these high-earning households constitute less than 7% of total tax returns filed across states and D.C. in 2020, their migration trends continue to be newsworthy.
SmartAsset aimed to identify which states experienced the most movement among high-earning households. The analysis focused on the inflow and outflow of tax filers making at least $200,000 between 2019 and 2020.
Key Insights
- Sun Belt Leads the Way: Most of the states experiencing a substantial influx of high-earning households are located, at least partially, in the Sun Belt region. Florida tops the list.
-State Taxes Matter: States not imposing income tax show a significant attraction for high-income households. Four of the top 10 states welcoming these households—Florida, Texas, Tennessee, and Nevada—fall into this category.
- Varied Demographics: The District of Columbia hosts the highest proportion of high-earners (12.19% of tax filers), while West Virginia has the lowest (2.96%).
States Gaining High-Earning Households
Florida leads the pack by adding a remarkable 20,263 high-earning households in 2020 despite a minor outflow. Texas follows, witnessing a net gain, though significantly lower than Florida’s numbers.
States Losing High-Earning Households
States traditionally known for high taxes, like New York and California, experienced substantial outflows of high-earning households in 2020.
Data and Rankings
The analysis considered IRS data of households earning over $200,000 moving between states, determining net migration by subtracting outflows from inflows to rank states accordingly.
Tips for Relocating
- Financial Advisor Assistance: Seeking help from a financial advisor can smoothen the transition. Tools like SmartAsset’s advisor matching service can connect individuals with suitable advisors.
- Legal and Financial Planning: Estate planning, will revisions, and understanding state-specific taxes are crucial when relocating. Changes in investment strategies might also be necessary.
- Healthcare Considerations: Checking if your health insurance remains valid post-relocation is essential, especially for retirees with specific service area plans.
The movement of high-earning households not only impacts states’ fiscal health but also necessitates strategic financial planning for individuals making such transitions. Understanding these trends can help in making informed decisions for both states and individuals navigating these changes.
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