Where you’ll pay the most – and least – on state and local taxes in the US – Montana is 17th lowest.

Taxes are one of the few certainties in life – but they do not have to be a great burden.

From the checkout counter to the 1040 form due every April, what Americans end up paying in taxes depends largely on where they live.

While all Americans are generally subject to the same federal tax code, each of the 50 states has broad authority to levy its own sales, income and property taxes – or not.