Seattle is a taxing place
The Seattle City Council’s Affordable Housing, Neighborhoods, and Finance Committee will meet tomorrow to possibly vote on the proposed pop tax (technically “a tax on engaging in the business of distributing sweetened beverages”) and to discuss an income tax for the city. (See today’s post from Opportunity Washington on the income tax idea.) Emily Parkhurst of the Puget […]
May 11 , 2017 - Emily Makings
When it comes to public policy, watch your phraseology!
Opportunity Washington has a good post on tax policy terminology that links to a new paper about getting past the loaded term “loophole.” The problem is that people often don’t mean the same thing when they say that a particular tax policy is a “loophole.” For example, some may use it to describe a case […]
May 02 , 2017 - Mary Strow
March 31 , 2017 - Mary Strow
New Special Report: Proposals For A State Capital Gains Tax
We’re out today with a Special Report looking at proposals in the Legislature for a state capital gains tax. You can read it here. Here are some highlights: Both Gov. Inslee and the House Democratic Caucus have proposed capital gains taxes. Washington residents would have to pay tax on federally-defined gains. Nonresidents would pay capital […]
March 28 , 2017 - Mary Strow
March 22 , 2017 - Mary Strow
March 21 , 2017 - Mary Strow
Special Report: Using Tax Policy to Promote Economic Vitality
Our latest Special Report, “Using Tax Policy to Promote Economic Vitality,” offers a comprehensive look at Washington’s system of business taxes and tax preferences. You can read the report here. Too often, tax preferences are portrayed simply as “breaks” that give certain industries and/or companies special (possibly unfair) treatment. But as our report shows, these preferences play a […]
March 17 , 2017 - Emily Makings
Could Washington get a tax court?
Last week Senators Brown, Hobbs, Braun, Mullet, Frockt and Warnick introduced SB 5866, which would create a tax court. Additionally, Senators Brown, Hobbs, Braun, Mullet, Fain and Warnick introduced SJR 8209, which would amend the constitution to authorize the tax court. Both bills were heard by the Senate Law & Justice Committee yesterday. In a report […]
March 17 , 2017 - Emily Makings
New brief: Washington’s Steady Move to an Economic Nexus Standard for Taxes
In a new policy brief, we look at Washington’s Steady Move to an Economic Nexus Standard for Taxes. Briefly: “Nexus” means a connection, and it is a determinant of jurisdiction in tax law. Federal law is unclear as to whether a state may tax businesses without a physical presence in the state. Washington has used […]
March 03 , 2017 - Emily Makings
Policy issues on the Seattle horizon
Earlier this week the Seattle City Council approved its 2017 work program (via Seattle City Council Insight). Although details are scant, the program provides some idea of the issues councilmembers want to work on this year. Much of the program is carried over from last year, but there are several new items of interest. Affordable […]