This was the gist of the headline in “Closing the Deal”, a weekly feature column by Christopher Thompson, which appeared in the New Hampshire Sunday News of December 26, 2010. Here are some highlights of his article.

In looking at the tax challenges of our neighboring states, Thompson found that Maine has an 8.5% income tax (the 7^th highest in the country). Massachusetts has a 5.3% income tax and Vermont, one of 8.95%.

The 2010 Census results show that New Hampshire is the fastest growing state in New England at 6.5%, with the next closest being Connecticut, at 4.9%. He queries if the lack

of an income tax is driving people to New Hampshire over the other New England states. While that may or may not be so, his primary point was how lucky we are to live in New Hampshire…particularly if we “work, sell or have businesses” here. Among other pluses: we have the 9^th highest per-capita personal income in the country, and we are one of only 5 states in the country to have no sales tax. As Thompson concludes, “…we live in a state which provides one of the best climates for businesses and their employees,” and that’s something to be thankful for!