A look at what tax breaks cost Louisiana

Louisiana gives out about $4.4 billion in tax breaks to businesses and individuals each year. A look at the major categories of taxes collected and tax exemptions in the just-ended 2011-12 budget year, according to estimates from the state revenue department:

Corporate Income Taxes:

• Potential collections: $1.7 billion.
• Actual collections: $198 million.
• Estimated exemptions: $1.5 billion.

Percentage of tax loss: 88 percent.

Sales Taxes:

• Potential collections: $4.1 billion.
• Actual collections: $2.7 billion.
• Estimated exemptions: $1.4 billion.

Percentage of tax loss: 34 percent.

Individual Income Taxes:

• Potential collections: $3.5 billion.
• Actual collections: $2.4 billion.
• Estimated exemptions: $1.1 billion.

Percentage of tax loss: 32 percent.

Severance Taxes:

• Potential collections: $1.2 billion.
• Actual collections: $764 million.
• Estimated exemptions: $432 million.

Percentage of tax loss: 36 percent.

Source: Louisiana Department of Revenue