By David Ober, Senior Vice President of Business Operations & Finance, Indiana Chamber of Commerce

Indiana has long stood out as a state fostering a competitive, business-friendly environment with a tax system designed to support economic growth. The Indiana Chamber Foundation’s recent tax study, “Indiana’s Tax System: A Comparative Analysis,” offers key insights into how our state stacks up against its peers, including neighboring states like Ohio and Illinois, and national competitors such as Tennessee, Texas and North Carolina. While Indiana remains a leader in tax competitiveness, particularly for businesses, the study also highlights areas where reforms are necessary to ensure that we continue to grow equitably and sustainably.

One of the key takeaways from the study is that Indiana’s overall tax burden remains significantly lower than the U.S. average. In FY22, Indiana’s combined state and local tax revenue was 9.6% of personal income, compared to the national average of 10.8%. Additionally, Indiana’s state and local tax revenue as a percentage of state GDP was 8.6%, compared to the national average of 8.9%.

Indiana also ranks fifth lowest among benchmark states for the total effective business tax rate at 3.8%, compared to a national average of 5.0%. This positions us favorably compared to nearby states like Ohio (4.3%) and Illinois (5.5%), where higher business tax rates and overall burdens make them less competitive. While Indiana’s competitive business tax rate is an advantage, businesses also play a critical role in funding public services. In fact, businesses in Indiana pay 38% of all state and local taxes. While some may believe that businesses should carry a larger tax burden, increasing business taxes can lead to higher consumer costs, fewer jobs and less investment in local communities.

The study also highlights challenges in capital-intensive industries. Manufacturing and life sciences, which are critical to Indiana’s economy, face higher effective tax rates due to our property tax structure. For example, the effective property tax rate in manufacturing is 4.9%, more than double the benchmark state average. This is where we lag states like Kentucky and Wisconsin, where lower property taxes create a more attractive environment for capital investment. Moreover, higher property taxes for these industries often lead to an overdependence on tax incentives to attract new business and foster economic growth. While incentives can help attract investment, they can also create long-term imbalances if used as a substitute for a more competitive tax structure.

Addressing these industry-specific challenges should be a priority in our tax reform efforts. A balanced approach should focus on making the system more competitive while ensuring that all taxpayers contribute fairly. By fostering a tax environment with reasonable rates and predictable policies, we can support both businesses and individuals without compromising the stability of the broader tax base.

Indiana’s tax system has been a cornerstone of our economic success, but there is always room for improvement. As the study has shown, Indiana is highly competitive, but targeted reforms can ensure we remain a leader in economic growth. By addressing specific challenges in key industries, we can continue to create an environment where businesses and residents alike can thrive. The work we do today will ensure Indiana remains a leader in opportunity and prosperity for generations to come.

To view the entire report, visit www.indianachamber.com/tax.

BBB serving Greater Kentucky and South Central Indiana will hold its annual Shred & Electronics Recycling Event on Saturday, Sept. 28 from 10 am to 2 pm at RML Shredding. 

BBB will partner with RML Shredding and River Metals Recycling for this free community event. Individuals can bring old documents (up to four boxes) for shredding and/or old electronics for secure recycling. Visit bbb.org for a full list of items eligible for recycling. 

New this year, the event will be held at RML Shredding and food trucks will be on-site as well. Drop off your old documents and electronics, and grab lunch while you’re there! 

BBB’s Shred & Electronics Recycling Event is free to the public, but donations are appreciated. Proceeds go to BBB Consumer Education Fund's support of scam prevention programs, BBB Charity Review program, student scholarships, and more!

BBB Annual Shred & Electronics Recycling Event

When: Saturday, September 28^th
10 am to 2pm

Where: RML Shredding
1925 Production Dr, Louisville, KY 40299

Cost: Free (donations appreciated)

 A new tax study from the Indiana Chamber Foundation reveals that the state stands out for its relatively high reliance on individual income and sales taxes, while it maintains a competitive effective business tax rate. The report also identifies challenges in sectors like manufacturing and life sciences, where property and personal property taxes drive up the effective tax rates. 

Despite these hurdles, Indiana’s overall tax burden remains lower than the U.S. average, making it an attractive environment for business and economic growth.

The research, “Indiana’s Tax System: A Comparative Analysis,” examines Indiana’s state and local tax structure in comparison to neighboring and competitive states, providing critical data to inform the state Legislature’s ongoing tax review and potential reforms. It represents phase one of the Indiana Chamber’s highly anticipated two-phase tax study, conducted by Ernst & Young LLP. 

"Our state’s tax climate is the result of sustained efforts over decades to build a strong, business-friendly environment,” says Vanessa Green Sinders, president and CEO of the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. “Indiana is well-positioned among our peers to attract capital investment and support long-term economic growth. The data from phase one of this study highlights key opportunities for improvement, which will help us gain a competitive edge moving forward.”

Specific key findings from the study include those around tax burden, business tax competitiveness, business share of taxes and competitiveness for key industries.

Indiana has consistently had a lower tax burden compared to the U.S. average from FY12 to FY22. In FY22, Indiana’s state and local tax revenue per capita was $5,618 compared to $7,097 nationally. Indiana’s combined state and local tax burden is 9.6% of personal income, which is lower than the 10.8% U.S. average and is in the middle of the benchmark states.

Businesses pay 38% of state and local taxes in Indiana, which is the third lowest among peer states. Businesses pay a higher share of property taxes in Indiana than the benchmark state average.

Indiana has higher effective tax rates in capital-intensive industries such as manufacturing and life sciences due to the taxation of personal property, which drives high effective property tax rates. For example, manufacturing is a capital-intensive industry, and Indiana’s high taxation of both real and personal property results in the 4.9% property tax effective rate, more than double the benchmark state average, with personal property tax accounting for 2.5 percentage points of the total effective rate.

"Indiana ranks fifth lowest among benchmark states for total effective business tax rate at 3.8%, well below the U.S. average of 5.0%," offers the Indiana Chamber’s David Ober, senior vice president of business operations and finance. "We are well-positioned as a leader in overall business tax competitiveness. However, when you focus on specific industries for which Indiana is known, such as manufacturing and life sciences, the data shows opportunities for improvement. By addressing these areas, we can further sharpen our competitive advantage and continue to drive economic growth."

Adds Sinders, “This study marks the first step in a larger effort. As we move forward, we will meet with key lawmakers, administration officials and local leaders across Indiana to ensure that the findings from phase one are used to drive policy decisions. Our goal is to work collaboratively to shape policies that strengthen Indiana’s economic foundation and keep us ahead in the competitive landscape.”

Phase two of the tax study will delve deeper into opportunities for tax reform and provide detailed recommendations on how Indiana can refine its tax system to boost business investment, economic growth and quality of life for all Hoosiers.

The tax study was informed by consultations with the Indiana Chamber Tax Research Advisory Committee, comprised of representatives from key business sectors, tax policy experts, consultants, relevant state agencies and economic development professionals.

Lead investors in the two-phase tax project are Ambassador Enterprises and AES Indiana. Other key contributors are Maple Leaf Farms, bp America, dormakaba Americas, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., Al & Kathy Hubbard, OneMain Financial and CountryMark. 

View the full Indiana Chamber Foundation study at www.indianachamber.com/tax.

On Thursday, August 15th, Temple & Temple Excavating and Paving, Inc. joined Governor Eric J. Holcomb and Indiana Secretary of Commerce David Rosenberg in Indianapolis to celebrate the company as a recipient of the Governor’s Half Century Business Award. This award recognizes Temple & Temple’s longevity and lasting impact on the state’s economy, communities, and people.

Ken Temple, President & CEO of Temple & Temple, leads the company with a deep appreciation for the foundation laid by Howard and Walter Temple in 1948.

"To see what the generations before me were able to accomplish has created a strong foundation for the company to thrive today," said Temple. "The recognition by the Governor and Indiana Secretary of Commerce would mean a lot to my father, one of the company’s founders."

Since joining the company after earning his degree in engineering, Ken Temple has been instrumental in upholding and expanding the business. He credits his father, Walter Temple, for business lessons that stressed the importance of long-term investments in the company, its people, and the community.

“Being in a position to give back to my community is what drives me,” Temple said. “My priority is to create lasting relationships that not only benefit the business, but also the communities we serve.”

Temple & Temple is one of forty-eight Hoosier businesses recognized by Governor Holcomb and Secretary Rosenberg this year. The program has honored over 1,250 businesses throughout its 33-year history for their exemplary commitment to our state and their communities. One community Temple & Temple has been proud to serve through its philanthropic efforts is the Town of New Pekin.

“Temple & Temple Excavating and Paving has always been the biggest supporter of the Town of New Pekin," said New Pekin Town Manager Jaden Stone. “They always assist with our projects for the community, most recently with a complete renovation of our Basketball Court at the Community Park and the Washington County Family YMCA’s planned expansion.”

After 76 years, the company and the communities it serves have never been stronger.

Temple & Temple plans to continue its focus on providing long-standing, quality infrastructure while expanding its offerings to meet the housing needs of Southern Indiana.