There may be support for proposed online sales tax, but could Washington actually collect any revenues?
The 2017–19 operating budget that was passed by the House earlier this year assumes enactment of several new taxes. These include requiring remote sellers, marketplace facilitators and referrers to collect and remit sales taxes on online purchases made by Washington residents or report the sales to the Department of Revenue (so that it could then […]
June 13 , 2017 - Emily Makings
Seattle income tax details and legal questions
Last month, the Seattle City Council approved a resolution calling for a city income tax. A proposed ordinance has now been released, and there will be a hearing tomorrow. Under the proposal, the tax would be 2 percent on income over $250,000 (for individuals) or $500,000 (for joint filers). Note that the tax would be on […]
May 30 , 2017 - Emily Makings
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 […]