ITEP Work in Action
Advocates and policymakers at the state and federal levels rely on ITEP’s analytic capabilities to inform their debates on proposed tax policy changes. In any given year, ITEP fields requests for analyses of policies in 25 or more states. ITEP also works with national partners to provide analyses of federal tax policy proposals. This section highlights reports that use ITEP analyses to make a compelling case for progressive tax reforms.
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ITEP Work in Action March 24, 2023 Washington State Supreme Court: Opinion Upholding Capital Gains Excise Tax
In 2021, the Washington Legislature enacted a capital gains tax, levied at a rate of seven percent on the sale or exchange of certain long-term capital assets. Read more. (See… -
ITEP Work in Action July 9, 2021 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: New Reforms Bring Balance and Equity to State’s Tax Code and Economy
People seeking a more equitable state tax code and stronger supports for parents scored major victories earlier this year in Washington state, after more than a decade of hard work… -
ITEP Work in Action May 4, 2021 Washington Governor’s Office: Inslee signs economic justice legislation to help working families
Gov. Jay Inslee today signed an economic justice legislative package, including the Working Families Tax Credit and the capital gains excise tax, that starts the process of making Washington’s upside-down… -
ITEP Work in Action March 8, 2021 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Why Now Is the Time to Pass a Tax on Extraordinary Profits
Members of the Washington State Senate have an historic opportunity to create a more just state tax code while bolstering and sustaining our state’s fiscal and economic recovery long after… -
ITEP Work in Action February 12, 2021 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Washington State’s Upside-down Tax Code is Even More Racist than You Think
Lawmakers in Olympia are finally listening to communities and rightly focusing on addressing racial disparities that have permeated our state economy and institutions for far too long. They must act… -
ITEP Work in Action October 24, 2018 Real Change: Study: Washington Bottoms Out on US Tax Assessment
Guess what? Washington state’s taxation system continues to be one of the most regressive in the country.
This news comes from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), which did a deep dive into the taxation policies of all 50 states.
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ITEP Work in Action October 18, 2018 Seattle Met: Report: Washington State Taxes Are Still the Most Inequitable in the Country
In Washington state, the less money you make, the larger your percentage of income goes toward taxes.
A study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy released on Wednesday concludes that Washington state still has the most regressive taxes in the U.S., meaning the poorest households pay a disproportionate amount of taxes compared to the richest households in the state.
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ITEP Work in Action October 17, 2018 Budget and Policy Center: Washington State Again Ranks Worst In The Nation For Our State Tax Code
Despite the many ways Washington state takes prides in its spirit of innovation, it still ranks dead last when it comes to its tax code, according to a new study by the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). Our state has the most upside-down tax code in the country, forcing people with the lowest incomes to pay 17.8 percent in state and local taxes as a percent of their income – while the state’s wealthiest residents pay just 3 percent.
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ITEP Work in Action October 17, 2018 Budget and Policy Center: Unacceptable. Washington Still Has the Nation’s Most Inequitable State Tax Code
Washington state continues to have the most upside-down tax code of any U.S. state, according to a new report from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP). It wrongly requires people with the lowest incomes to pay six times more in taxes as a percent of their income than the state’s wealthiest residents to fund investments that benefit all Washingtonians.
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ITEP Work in Action April 12, 2018 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Five Essential Truths About Our State Tax Code
Unfortunately, many myths permeate the public discourse about our state tax code. At the Washington State Budget & Policy Center, we are committed to making sure you know the truth about that tax code – and the real solutions that must be enacted in Olympia to make it work for everyone. Because it is a tax code that doesn’t live up to our values. It isn’t set up to invest in our communities in the short and long term. And it is set up to favor corporations, special interests, and the ultra-wealthy over everyday Washingtonians. As a result, the tax code creates additional barriers to economic opportunity for many communities of color and people with low incomes.
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ITEP Work in Action January 30, 2017 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Creating a Safeguard Rebate Is Key to Equitable Property Tax Reform
This is the fourth in a series of schmudget blog posts about property taxes in Washington state and the role they play in funding basic K-12 education. Any reform… -
ITEP Work in Action January 20, 2017 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Closing the Tax Break on Capital Gains
A capital gain is the profit an individual receives from the sale of a financial asset. Currently, Washingtonians receive a tax break on the profits they make from the sale… -
ITEP Work in Action February 2, 2015 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Taxing Capital Gains
FAQ on Enacting a Capital Gains Tax In Washington State Read the full report -
ITEP Work in Action January 21, 2015 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Washington State’s Upside Down Tax System Takes A Heavy Toll On Communities Of Color
While most Washingtonians agree that everyone has a responsibility to help pay for schools, safe communities, health care, and other broadly shared investments that create jobs and grow the economy,… -
ITEP Work in Action June 11, 2014 Washington Budget & Policy Center: Flawed Economic Model Hurts Washington State
An economic model frequently cited by some Washington state lawmakers to justify their opposition to tax increases distorts the impact of tax proposals on state economies, according to a new… -
ITEP Work in Action February 27, 2014 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Corporate Tax Dodge Findings Show Need for Reforms in Washington State
Now that we know nine major corporations with operations in Washington state paid zero or less in federal corporate income taxes in recent years despite reaping huge profits, serious questions… -
ITEP Work in Action January 15, 2013 Economic Opportunity Institute: Fairer Taxes for Washington: Taxing High Incomes to Reduce Regressive Taxes and Improve Public Services
Washington State’s seventy year-old tax structure is built on an ever-shrinking base, and taxes fall most heavily on those least able to afford them. This discussion brief outlines options for… -
ITEP Work in Action January 14, 2013 Washington State Budget and Policy Center: The Working Families Tax Rebate
Washington State is in a deep economic recession. Working families are struggling to make ends meet as more and more people lose their jobs, their homes, and their health insurance.… -
ITEP Work in Action January 14, 2013 Economic Opportunity Institute: An Income Tax for Washington: Questions and Answers
Washington State has been losing ground on education for 15 years, slipping towards the bottom of national rankings in class size and school funding. Our children, workers, and businesses deserve… -
ITEP Work in Action January 14, 2013 Washington State Budget and Policy Center: Balancing Adequacy and Equity in Washington State’s Property Tax
Public education, fire protection, emergency medical services, parks, criminal justice, hospitals: all highpriority public services that are funded by the property tax. Washington can ensure adequate funding for these programs… -
ITEP Work in Action January 14, 2013 Washington State Budget and Policy Center: Increasing the Sales Tax and Funding the Working Families Tax Rebate
In our new Policy Brief, the Budget & Policy Center recommends temporarily increasing the sales tax and fully funding the Working Families Tax Rebate. If enacted, this proposal would help… -
ITEP Work in Action January 14, 2013 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: A Capital Reform
To create jobs, spur long-term economic growth, and foster prosperity, Washington state desperately needs to rebuild its eroding education, public health, and community safety infrastructure. Our state has a powerful,…