Utah State Tax Guide

Utah state tax rates and rules for income, sales, property, fuel, cigarette, and other taxes that impact residents.

Utah flag flying on flag pole against golden sky
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Utah state tax: Overview

Utah has a flat-rate income tax system. But retirees can get stung by the Beehive State's income tax, since Utah is one of 11 states that tax Social Security benefits.

Sales taxes in Utah aren't high compared to other states. But Utah's average combined state and local sales tax rate is 7.19%, which is above average. Median property tax rates in Utah are fairly low compared to other states.

[Data for this state tax guide was gathered from a number of sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, the state’s government website, and the Sales Tax Handbook. Property taxes are cited as a rate percentage rather than the assessed value.] 

Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Save up to 74%
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Sign up

Utah income taxes

picture of Salt Lake City Utah skyline

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Utah has a flat state income tax rate of 4.65%.

Social Security benefits are included in Utah taxable income to the same extent they're taxed at the federal level. However, a nonrefundable tax credit is available for Social Security benefits. 

  • Pensions are taxable but Railroad Retirement benefits are exempt.
  • Income from a qualified retirement plan may be deductible if contributions to the plan were previously taxed in another state.
  • 401(k) and IRA Distributions are taxable.

Utah sales tax

Utah's state sales tax rte is 6.1%, but a 1% local sales tax means a total 7.1% total rate, according to the Tax Foundaiton.

  • Groceries: Taxable (1.75% state tax, plus mandatory 1.25% in local and county taxes)
  • Clothing: Taxable
  • Motor Vehicles: Taxable
  • Prescription Drugs: Exempt

Property taxes in Utah

little model house on a table

(Image credit: Getty Images)

In Utah, the median property tax rate is .57% of assessed home value according to the Tax Foundation.

Utah offers its residents 5 types of property tax relief. To find application forms and more information on any of the following programs, contact your county's auditor or treasurer's office.

  • Circuit Breaker: Renter Refund and Homeowner Low Income Abatement
  • Veterans with a Disability Exemption
  • Active or Reserve Duty Armed Forces Exemption
  • Blind Exemption
  • Indigent Abatement/Deferral

Utah gas taxes (motor fuel)

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ProductTax Amount
Gasoline$0.365 per gallon
Diesel$0.365 per gallon

Utah taxes on alcohol and tobacco

Utah Tobacco Taxes

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ProductTax Amount
Cigarettes$1.70 per pack of 20
Snuff$1.83 per ounce
Other Tobacco Products86% of manufacturer's selling price
Vapor Products56% of manufacturer's selling price

Utah Alcohol Taxes

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ProductAmount
Beer$0.41 per gallon
Wine$0 per gallon. (According to the Sales Tax Handbook, Utah's sales tax rate applies to the purchase of wine.)

Liquor: State controlled in Utah, according to the Sales Tax Handbook.

Utah estate and inheritance taxes

There are no estate or inheritance taxes in Utah.

Rocky Mengle

Rocky Mengle was a Senior Tax Editor for Kiplinger from October 2018 to January 2023 with more than 20 years of experience covering federal and state tax developments. Before coming to Kiplinger, Rocky worked for Wolters Kluwer Tax & Accounting, and Kleinrock Publishing, where he provided breaking news and guidance for CPAs, tax attorneys, and other tax professionals. He has also been quoted as an expert by USA Today, Forbes, U.S. News & World Report, Reuters, Accounting Today, and other media outlets. Rocky holds a law degree from the University of Connecticut and a B.A. in History from Salisbury University.

With contributions from