Gas taxes jump in nine states on July 1

Just in time for the Independence Day holiday weekend, the gas taxes in nine states are jumping up effective Friday. Millions of Americans will be spending more on gas entering the peak of the summer travel season.

The problem this year is timing. Most changes to taxes happen in January with the start of a new year, but some happen when a new fiscal year starts — and that’s July 1, at a time when Americans are already paying a lot for gas, the Tax Foundation reported.

Seven of the state gas tax hikes are automatic due to inflation, fluctuating wholesale prices, and other factors. Automatic hikes went into effect in California, Connecticut, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Nebraska, and Virginia.

Missouri’s gas tax is jumping 2.5 cents per gallon after the legislature approved a 12.5-cent gas tax increase last fall that is being implemented incrementally.

South Carolina is implementing a 2-cents-per-gallon hike as part of a 2017 bill raising the gas tax 2 cents every July 1 from 2017 to 2022, according to the Tax Foundation.

Kentuckians caught a break this year after Gov. Andy Beshear (D) ordered a scheduled gas tax hike to be suspended through the end of 2022.

Currently, Pennsylvania has the highest gas tax at 58 cents per gallon. Alaska is the lowest at just under 9 cents per gallon.