Because the federal income tax is the biggest and usually the first tax we see listed on our pay stubs, we naturally tend to focus on it.

But state government takes a bite out of our spending money, too. Bankrate will help you stay on top of what your localities are collecting -- income, sales, personal property or investment taxes, or often a combination of all.

Here's a look at some recent tax actions across the nation.

Tax breaks for New York clothing shoppers
ALBANY -- Beginning March 1, New Yorkers will get a tax break on some clothing and footwear purchases. Items costing up to $110 each will be free of the state's sales and use taxes. However, locally imposed taxes will still be charged.

The cost of repairs or alterations to non-taxable clothing and footwear also will be exempt. Most accessories -- such as handbags, watches and watchbands -- are not considered clothing and sales taxes will continue to be collected on them. However, belt buckles, handkerchiefs, sweatbands, headscarves and neckwear are exempt.

A list of exempt clothing is available on the Web. Items that will still be subject to sales taxes are listed here.

Mail, telephone orders and special orders will be taxed based on the date the order is placed. Eligible items bought with a rain check will be taxed at the rate in effect when purchased.

The N.Y. Department of Revenue release explicitly states: The exemption applies only to clothing and footwear worn by humans.

Arizona tourists might help pay for stadium
PHOENIX -- The state's hotel industry supports a proposal to raise bed taxes to help pay for a new football stadium. Hotel and motel owners decided not to fight the tax after a compromise was reached giving more of the new tax money to the Arizona Office of Tourism.

The proposal would impose a 1 percent bed tax in Maricopa County, where the stadium would be built, a half-percent statewide bed tax and a 3 percent county rental-car tax. Sales taxes on stadium construction and concessions and state income taxes paid by players would be dedicated to the project. And the National Football League and Arizona Cardinals would put up $75 million. Another, unspecified amount will be supplied by the college Fiesta Bowl.

Of the $1.5 billion expected to be raised through the taxes over 29 years, $311 million to $437 million would go to promoting state tourism.

Pennsylvania filers get extra chance
HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvanians may want to combine shopping and tax return filing this year. It could be worth a bit of extra spending money.

For the third year, representatives from the state Department of Revenue will be at malls encouraging taxpayers to file 1999 returns electronically. Pennsylvanians who use a paperless option to file their taxes at a mall tax location will get something extra. The Department of Revenue will be giving those taxpayers free gifts from the state lottery, including instant game tickets. State officials note that there is one catch: ticket recipients must be at least 18.

Electronic filing, as well as other general state tax information, will be available at the following malls:

Residents who don't make it to a mall filing site can file from any computer via the state's free Internet filing method or by using the Pennsylvania TeleFile option.