Taxes https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/rss en-us Tax outlook webinar planned Four statewide business advocacy groups will host a virtual briefing on potential tax issues expected in the 2027 legislative session. Four statewide business advocacy groups will host a virtual briefing on potential tax issues expected in the 2027 legislative session. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8227 Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/tax-outlook-webinar-planned Money bills wages inflation salary Latest WA economic report still leaves some uneasy The state’s latest revenue forecast is a mixed bag and has some observers concerned about what future budget pressures could bring to bear. The state’s latest revenue forecast is a mixed bag and has some observers concerned about what future budget pressures could bring to bear. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8219 Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/latest-wa-economic-report-still-leaves-some-uneasy MinimumWage_money New effort underway to understand WA’s budget shortfalls http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8156 Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/new-effort-underway-to-understand-was-budget-shortfalls Olympia Kraken CEO: ‘Fear in the business community’ Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Kraken NHL team and one of the key figures pushingto return the SuperSonics NBA franchise to Seattle, dished up some economic words of warning for state lawmakers on July 16. Tod Leiweke, CEO of the Kraken NHL team and one of the key figures pushingto return the SuperSonics NBA franchise to Seattle, dished up some economic words of warning for state lawmakers on July 16. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8150 Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/kraken-ceo-fear-in-the-business-community Capitol It’s official: WA voters will get to weigh in on new income tax Washington voters will get their chance in November to embrace or reject the state’s new income tax on households with earnings greater than a million dollars a year. Washington voters will get their chance in November to embrace or reject the state’s new income tax on households with earnings greater than a million dollars a year.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8147 Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/its-official-wa-voters-will-get-to-weigh-in-on-new-income-tax Tax-Signature WA offering waived penalties after sales tax changes If the state’s recent expansion of sales tax-subject services has your business facing some penalties, some help could be available to you. If the state’s recent expansion of sales tax-subject services has your business facing some penalties, some help could be available to you. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8059 Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-offering-waived-penalties-after-sales-tax-changes Capitol-in-Olympia-with-Sun Washington’s gas tax is going up, but state transportation revenue is falling short Even with the changes, revenues for the state’s two-year transportation budget are expected to be millions of dollars lower than previously forecast as demand for gas declines, fee collections drop, and there is continuing uncertainty around how much federal transportation funding for states will be available. Even with the changes, revenues for the state’s two-year transportation budget are expected to be millions of dollars lower than previously forecast as demand for gas declines, fee collections drop, and there is continuing uncertainty around how much federal transportation funding for states will be available.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/8040 Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:42:51 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/washingtons-gas-tax-is-going-up-but-state-transportation-revenue-is-falling-short Gas Pump Washington’s average annual wage tops $99,000 Washington’s average annual wage grew 4.9% in 2025, according to the state Employment Security Department. Washington’s average annual wage grew 4.9% in 2025, according to the state Employment Security Department.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7995 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-average-annual-wage Money bills wages inflation salary New WA state laws take effect jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com Over 200 new Washington state laws took effect June 11. Among them are tax hikes, enhancements to the state’s Voting Rights Act and guidance for retailers on the penny phase-out. Over 200 new Washington state laws took effect June 11. Among them are tax hikes, enhancements to the state’s Voting Rights Act and guidance for retailers on the penny phase-out. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7993 Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/new-wa-state-laws-take-effect Olympia Trump administration $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers struck down afigueroa@statesnewsroom.com A federal judge in Massachusetts June 8 struck down the Trump administration’s efforts to require a $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled immigrant workers, finding the policy is an unlawful tax. A federal judge in Massachusetts June 8 struck down the Trump administration’s efforts to require a $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled immigrant workers, finding the policy is an unlawful tax.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7979 Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/trump-administration-100-000-visa-fee-for-highly-skilled-foreign-workers-struck-down NewsUpdate.jpg WA governor’s office warns agencies to prepare for ‘significant budget shortfalls’ State agency leaders received a dire warning from Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office on June 5 that they’re headed toward “what will likely be the most challenging budget any of us has yet faced.” State agency leaders received a dire warning from Gov. Bob Ferguson’s office on June 5 that they’re headed toward “what will likely be the most challenging budget any of us has yet faced.” 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7972 Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-governors-office-warns-agencies-to-prepare-for-significant-budget-shortfalls Capitol Foes of WA income tax race to collect initiative signatures Let’s Go Washington, the initiative sponsor, has until July 2 to turn in at least 308,911 valid signatures of registered voters to qualify for the ballot. State election officials suggest submitting at least 390,000 to account for invalid ones. Let’s Go Washington, the initiative sponsor, has until July 2 to turn in at least 308,911 valid signatures of registered voters to qualify for the ballot. State election officials suggest submitting at least 390,000 to account for invalid ones. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7951 Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/foes-of-wa-income-tax-race-to-collect-initiative-signatures Tax-Signature The feds have embraced medical marijuana. Now what? awatford@stateline.org The U.S. Department of Justice’s recent decision to downgrade the drug classification for medical cannabis will help medical marijuana businesses. But the broader divide between federal and state marijuana policy remains largely intact, leaving states to navigate a fragmented and still-evolving cannabis landscape with few clear answers about what comes next. The U.S. Department of Justice’s recent decision to downgrade the drug classification for medical cannabis will help medical marijuana businesses. But the broader divide between federal and state marijuana policy remains largely intact, leaving states to navigate a fragmented and still-evolving cannabis landscape with few clear answers about what comes next.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7934 Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/the-feds-have-embraced-medical-marijuana-now-what Richland district forms task force to chart long-range school needs The Richland School District has launched a community facilities task force to develop a long-range facilities plan following a failed bond measure in 2024 to build a third high school in West Richland. The Richland School District has launched a community facilities task force to develop a long-range facilities plan following a failed bond measure in 2024 to build a third high school in West Richland.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7808 Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/richland-district-forms-task-force-for-school-needs Richland-district-forms-task-force Tri-Cities’ first state-licensed cannabis retailer moves ty@tcjournal.biz The Pasco location of the Tri-Cities’ first state-licensed cannabis retailer is moving to a more visible spot. The Pasco location of the Tri-Cities’ first state-licensed cannabis retailer is moving to a more visible spot.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7792 Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/green2go-move Green2Go1 How the Strait of Hormuz affects the price of filling your gas tank Even though the U.S. now imports far less oil from the Persian Gulf than it once did, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz still drive up gasoline prices because oil is traded on a global market. When supply tightens anywhere, prices rise everywhere – including at American gas pumps. Even though the U.S. now imports far less oil from the Persian Gulf than it once did, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz still drive up gasoline prices because oil is traded on a global market. When supply tightens anywhere, prices rise everywhere – including at American gas pumps.


]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7872 Wed, 13 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/how-the-strait-of-hormuz-affects-the-price-of-filling-your-gas-tank Circle K Gas Let’s Go Washington prepares to gather signatures for income tax repeal effort jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com The conservative political committee Let’s Go Washington plans to soon begin gathering signatures as part of its push to overturn the state’s new income tax on high earners. The conservative political committee Let’s Go Washington plans to soon begin gathering signatures as part of its push to overturn the state’s new income tax on high earners. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7835 Sun, 10 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/lets-go-washington-prepares-to-gather-signatures-for-income-tax-repeal-effort Capitol WA Supreme Court bats down referendum attempt targeting income tax jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com Washington’s Supreme Court on May 4 denied a conservative political committee’s request to pursue an attempt to repeal the state’s new income tax law with a referendum this fall. Washington’s Supreme Court on May 4 denied a conservative political committee’s request to pursue an attempt to repeal the state’s new income tax law with a referendum this fall.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7796 Tue, 05 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/wa-supreme-court-bats-down-referendum-attempt-targeting-income-tax Survey: WA business owner pessimism continues to rise State business advocates say more employers are looking to exit the state, largely because of increasing tax burdens. State business advocates say more employers are looking to exit the state, largely because of increasing tax burdens. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7795 Tue, 05 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/survey-wa-business-owner-pessimism-continues-to-rise Capitol building in Olympia Looking to buy or sell your boat? Act quick to avoid new state tax If you’re thinking about buying a boat to spend the coming summer on the Columbia River, you have until July 1 to avoid a new state sales tax. If you’re thinking about buying a boat to spend the coming summer on the Columbia River, you have until July 1 to avoid a new state sales tax. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7782 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/looking-to-buy-or-sell-your-boat-act-quick-to-avoid-new-state-tax Richland Yacht Club marina Pasco to consider new additional sales tax The Pasco City Council will consider on May 4 whether to impose a new 0.1% sales tax to pay for maintaining its roads, further securing its position in the region as the municipality with the highest overall sales tax rate. The Pasco City Council will consider on May 4 whether to impose a new 0.1% sales tax to pay for maintaining its roads, further securing its position in the region as the municipality with the highest overall sales tax rate. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7781 Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/pasco-to-consider-new-additional-sales-tax Pasco-City-Hall Public Facilities District seeks new board members A public agency that supports facilities such as the Toyota Center, Three Rivers Convention Center and the Reach Museum is looking to fill three vacancies on its board of directors. A public agency that supports facilities such as the Toyota Center, Three Rivers Convention Center and the Reach Museum is looking to fill three vacancies on its board of directors. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7754 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/public-facilities-district-seeks-new-board-members Convention Center_web.jpg Fire district proposes tax increase to meet rising service demands The fire district serving West Richland and other unincorporated parts of Benton County will ask its residents to raise their property taxes to meet increasing demands for services and growing costs. The fire district serving West Richland and other unincorporated parts of Benton County will ask its residents to raise their property taxes to meet increasing demands for services and growing costs. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7753 Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/fire-district-seeks-tax-increase-to-meet-rising-service-demands Curious when all WA’s new taxes will kick in? There’s a calendar for that Now that the dust is settling after the short 2026 legislative session, a conservative tax policy think tank has compiled a multiyear breakdown of when the slew of new state taxes and handful of tax cuts go in and out of effect. Now that the dust is settling after the short 2026 legislative session, a conservative tax policy think tank has compiled a multiyear breakdown of when the slew of new state taxes and handful of tax cuts go in and out of effect. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7751 Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/curious-when-all-was-new-taxes-will-kick-in-theres-a-calendar-for-that MinimumWage_money Court battle ignites over Washington’s new income tax Opponents of Washington’s new income tax on high earners filed a lawsuit April 9, arguing the controversial law is unconstitutional and in conflict with nearly a century of state Supreme Court precedent. Opponents of Washington’s new income tax on high earners filed a lawsuit April 9, arguing the controversial law is unconstitutional and in conflict with nearly a century of state Supreme Court precedent.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7733 Sun, 12 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/court-battle-ignites-over-washingtons-new-income-tax Two words employers deserve to hear more often: thank you It’s worth saying thank you to our business community. We should tell them more often. It’s worth saying thank you to our business community. We should tell them more often.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7702 Thu, 09 Apr 2026 10:30:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/johnson-april-2026 KrisJohnson.jpg Builder advocates: Prepare to restructure business to avoid new income tax The state’s leading trade organization for homebuilders is advising its members to meet with an accountant while staying abreast of legal challenges to the state’s recently adopted income tax. The state’s leading trade organization for homebuilders is advising its members to meet with an accountant while staying abreast of legal challenges to the state’s recently adopted income tax. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7709 Tue, 07 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/builder-advocates-prepare-to-restructure-business-to-avoid-new-income-tax Housing construction Heywood asks WA Supreme Court to allow referendum effort on income tax Opponents of Washington’s new income tax asked the state Supreme Court on April 3 to allow them to pursue a referendum in hopes of giving voters a shot at repealing the controversial new law this November. Opponents of Washington’s new income tax asked the state Supreme Court on April 3 to allow them to pursue a referendum in hopes of giving voters a shot at repealing the controversial new law this November.

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7699 Sun, 05 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/heywood-asks-wa-supreme-court-to-allow-referendum-effort-on-income-tax referendum-effort-on-income-tax Highway preservation at center of new WA transportation budget The $16.6 billion supplemental budget expends about $1.2 billion more than the two-year transportation spending blueprint lawmakers approved last year. Under another bill, Washington will do more borrowing to cover added transportation spending. The $16.6 billion supplemental budget expends about $1.2 billion more than the two-year transportation spending blueprint lawmakers approved last year. Under another bill, Washington will do more borrowing to cover added transportation spending. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7688 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/highway-preservation-at-center-of-new-wa-transportation-budget Capital gains tax deadline extended, 2022 unclaimed refunds up for grabs Taxpayers in the higher tax brackets now have a little breathing room to get at least some of their 2025 taxes filed. However, those who did not file a 2022 tax return must submit their paperwork to the IRS by April 15 if they want to claim any of the $34.7 million in unclaimed refunds owed to Washingtonians.

Taxpayers in the higher tax brackets now have a little breathing room to get at least some of their 2025 taxes filed.  

However, those who did not file a 2022 tax return must submit their paperwork to the IRS by April 15 if they want to claim any of the $34.7 million in unclaimed refunds owed to Washingtonians. 

]]> http://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/7670 Mon, 30 Mar 2026 21:00:00 -0400 https://www.tricitiesbusinessnews.com/articles/capital-gains-unclaimed-refunds Tax-tips