Taxes

Will Washington’s income tax be gone before we pay it?

Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Since Washington adopted its new income tax in March, the law has continued to generate intense debate. Yet with a constitutional challenge pending and a repeal measure headed to voters, many are asking a simple question: Will anyone ever pay it?

Washington Roundtable leader pushes for crucial conversations amid growing business concerns

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The president of a nonprofit coalition of the state’s largest companies doesn’t deny business owners are feeling pressured from all sides. But Rachel Smith, president of Washington Roundtable, is “not part of the Chicken Little crowd."

Voters will see statement on WA income tax measure’s budget effects

Sun, 06 Sep 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A last-ditch legal effort nearly succeeded Sept. 3 to knock a statement off ballots that characterizes how repealing Washington’s new income tax on high earners would affect the state budget.

Access workshops and other tax resources to support your business

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 09:00:00 -0400

Want to get a better grasp of how state taxes apply to your industry or starting your first business and not sure how to move forward? Check out online and in-person resources through the state’s Department of Revenue.

WA revenue officials: Income tax will bring in more money than first expected

Thu, 13 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A new analysis from the state Department of Revenue shows Washington’s high-earner income tax will be paid by thousands of additional households and produce hundreds of millions of dollars more than previously assumed – if voters don’t ditch it this fall.

WA judge rejects bid to ditch description of income tax initiative’s budget effects

Mon, 10 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

A Thurston County judge on Aug. 7 upheld a one-sentence statement that will appear on ballots describing the budgetary consequences of an initiative to repeal Washington’s new income tax on high earners.

Tax outlook webinar planned

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Four statewide business advocacy groups will host a virtual briefing on potential tax issues expected in the 2027 legislative session.

Latest WA economic report still leaves some uneasy

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:00:00 -0400

The state’s latest revenue forecast is a mixed bag and has some observers concerned about what future budget pressures could bring to bear.

New effort underway to understand WA’s budget shortfalls

Tue, 21 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Kraken CEO: ‘Fear in the business community’

Sun, 19 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

It’s official: WA voters will get to weigh in on new income tax

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

WA offering waived penalties after sales tax changes

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

If the state’s recent expansion of sales tax-subject services has your business facing some penalties, some help could be available to you.

Washington’s gas tax is going up, but state transportation revenue is falling short

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 08:42:51 -0400

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.

Washington’s average annual wage tops $99,000

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

Washington’s average annual wage grew 4.9% in 2025, according to the state Employment Security Department.

New WA state laws take effect

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Thu, 11 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Trump administration $100,000 visa fee for highly skilled foreign workers struck down

afigueroa@statesnewsroom.com — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

WA governor’s office warns agencies to prepare for ‘significant budget shortfalls’

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.”

Foes of WA income tax race to collect initiative signatures

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

The feds have embraced medical marijuana. Now what?

awatford@stateline.org — Mon, 01 Jun 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Richland district forms task force to chart long-range school needs

Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

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.

Tri-Cities’ first state-licensed cannabis retailer moves

ty@tcjournal.biz — Thu, 14 May 2026 11:00:00 -0400

The Pasco location of the Tri-Cities’ first state-licensed cannabis retailer is moving to a more visible spot.

How the Strait of Hormuz affects the price of filling your gas tank

Wed, 13 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Let’s Go Washington prepares to gather signatures for income tax repeal effort

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Sun, 10 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

WA Supreme Court bats down referendum attempt targeting income tax

jgoldsteinstreet@washingtonstatestandard.com — Tue, 05 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Survey: WA business owner pessimism continues to rise

Tue, 05 May 2026 21:00:00 -0400

State business advocates say more employers are looking to exit the state, largely because of increasing tax burdens.

Looking to buy or sell your boat? Act quick to avoid new state tax

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Pasco to consider new additional sales tax

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Public Facilities District seeks new board members

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Fire district proposes tax increase to meet rising service demands

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.

Curious when all WA’s new taxes will kick in? There’s a calendar for that

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 21:00:00 -0400

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.