In the mood to give to your local soup kitchen this holiday season? Well you’re not alone -- at least not in the Free State.
24/7 Wall St. ranks Maryland as the second most charitable state, behind only Utah.
It analyzed IRS data compiled by the Urban Land Institute and ranked the states according to charitable donation per taxpayer. Marylanders gave $1,661 to charities, the
study found. More than 40 percent of Maryland residents donate to charity.
The average income per taxpayer was $66,614 in 2009, making it the fourth highest in the country. The study found that, in general, the wealthier states gave more and the poorer states gave less.
Utah residents gave $2,388 per taxpayer, with an average income of $52,021. That puts it at No. 21 for income.
Maine ranked the least charitable, with residents giving an average of $612. It is the 10th lowest in income, pulling in $46,683 per taxpayer.
Writer: Julekha Dash
Source: 24/7 Wall St.