The taxman cometh but more harshly in Md. than in DC, Va.

The taxman cometh but more harshly in Md. than in DC, Va.

Among the three jurisdictions in the Washington area, Maryland has the highest state and local income tax rates (it ranks 7th nationally), followed by DC (20th) and Virginia (30th). The figures are from the Tax Foundationês annual rankings of tax burden.

Maryland residents paid an average 10.6 percent of their income in state and local taxes in 2011, amounting to $5,598 per tax payer. DC residents paid 9.7 percent of income, averaging $6,641. And Virginia residents paid 9.2 percent of income, an average of $4,469.

Of course, the percent of income means more or less depending on the amount of per capita income. In that regard, the District comes out first in the nation at $68,795. Maryland is fourth, at $52,805. And Virginia is not far behind at seventh, with a per capita income of $48,498.