Washington
-
media mention December 7, 2015 The Columbian: Jayne: What is ‘fair’ when it comes to Washington taxation?
“According to the nonpartisan, nonprofit Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, Washington households in the lowest one-fifth of income pay 16.8 percent of their income in taxes, while the top… -
report September 17, 2015 Low Tax for Whom?: Washington is a “Low Tax State” Overall, But Not for Families Living in Poverty
Annual data from the U.S. Census Bureau appear to lend support to Washington’s reputation as a “low tax state,” ranking it 36th nationally in taxes collected as a share of personal income.1 But focusing on the state’s overall tax revenues has led many observers to overlook the fact that different taxpayers experience Washington’s tax system very differently. In particular, the poorest 20 percent of Washington residents pay significantly more of their income (16.8 percent) in state and local taxes than any other group in the state. For low-income families, Washington is far from being a low tax state.2 In fact, Washington is the highest tax state in the country for poor people.
-
media mention July 13, 2015 Cheat Sheet: 10 Worst States in America for Fair Tax Systems
Americans generally believe that higher income households should pay a greater percentage of their incomes in taxes than lower income households. Yet the exact opposite occurs. The Institute on Taxation… -
media mention June 29, 2015 PT Leader: Taxes-Actually, Our State’s Most Unfair of All 50
Washington is not, as we are often led to believe, the cat’s meow when it comes to being liberal and progressive—despite its perceived leading role in a growing movement toward… -
media mention June 15, 2015 Daily Record: Letter: State’s Tax Structure Hits the Poor the Hardest
Why did the recession have such a damaging effect on the state budget? Because, almost uniquely in the country, most of our state’s revenue comes from various kinds of sales… -
media mention February 12, 2015 The Inlander: Taxes-Idaho v. Washington
But don’t look so smug, Washington progressives: Washington may take in more tax revenue to fund more programs than Idaho, but its tax system hits the poor far harder. The… -
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,… -
media mention January 20, 2015 The Oregonian: Pity Washington’s Unhappy Legislators
Last week brought another complication for Washington’s tax situation, as the annual report of the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, in the other Washington, found that once again Washington… -
media mention January 20, 2015 Seattle Times: Inslees Capital Gains Tax Pitch
“The capital-gains tax on the wealthy — even when combined with a tax credit Inslee has proposed for the state’s poorest families — would not bump Washington from its No.… -
media mention January 16, 2015 Forbes: State With World’s Richest Man Has Most Regressive Taxes (But Don’t Blame Bill Gates)
“A new analysis of state and local taxes for 2015 shows that despite changes in Kansas and other states that have reduced taxes on the rich, Washington State continues to… -
media mention January 16, 2015 The Stranger: National Study Confirms: “Washington State Has, by Far, the US’s Most Regressive State Tax System.”
A new national study from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy confirms that Washington State’s “morally bankrupt” tax system remains the worst in the nation when it comes to… -
media mention January 16, 2015 Crosscut: Washington taxes: We’re No. 1 (in abusing the poor)
“The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy released a new study today showing that Washington State’s tax system weighs heaviest on the poor. The non-profit Washington State Budget & Policy… -
media mention January 15, 2015 Time: You’ll Never Guess Which State Has the Nation’s Most Unfair Taxes
“When you think of states that hurt the poor and benefit the rich, ultra-progressive Washington state probably doesn’t spring to mind. And yet, according to a new analysis, Washington’s tax… -
media mention January 15, 2015 Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Washington tax structure is most regressive in US, study says
“Washington frequently basks in “Top Ten” lists of America’s most livable cities, retirement havens or best places to do business. But the Evergreen State ranks rock-bottom in a new “Terrible… -
media mention January 12, 2015 Yakima Herald-Republic: Tax System Unlikely to See Overhaul This Year
Further, due to reliance on a relatively high sales tax, Washington has ranked as the most regressive state tax system in the nation, according to the Institute on Taxation and… -
media mention August 20, 2014 The Motley Fool: The 5 States with the Highest Sales Tax
By Jeremy Bowman: Nearly every state in the union charges a sales tax, and the tax levied on goods and services sold at the retail level is just one of… -
media mention June 13, 2014 Puget Sound Business Journal: Replace sales tax hike with business tax to pay for transit
Seattle Councilmembers Nick Licata and Kshama Sawant Jun 12, 2014, 10:59am PDT Washington state has the nation’s most regressive tax structure, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy’s… -
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… -
media mention April 18, 2014 Seattle Times: Under the microscope
By Mike Lindblom While most big transit agencies in the U.S. slashed service during the recession, King County Metro Transit managed to hang on. Managers shifted a $100 million surplus… -
media mention April 16, 2014 The Seattle Times: Under the microscope – Metro’s big transit vote
In the April 22 mail ballot, King County voters are being asked to increase their sales taxes and their car tabs to fund Metro Transit and fix roads. As the… -
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… -
media mention December 12, 2013 The Capitol Hill Times: Raise the wage? Seattle’s income battle is a quagmire with options
12:06 am December 12th, 2013 by Tyler Mangrum – The Capitol Hill Times – Following the slim victory of a SeaTac measure raising the minimum wage to $15 per hour,… -
media mention November 18, 2013 The Huffington Post: Biggest Tax Break In U.S. History May Not Be Enough For Boeing
(Original Post) Posted: 11/15/2013 3:56 pm EST | Updated: 11/17/2013 5:40 pm EST Jillian Berman Earlier this week, the legislature in Washington state agreed to give Boeing $8.7 billion in… -
media mention October 15, 2013 The Seattle Times: Lawmakers at packed hearing told to pass transportation plan
By Mike Lindblom Seattle Times transportation reporter A spectrum of transit riders, construction workers, business owners, pedestrians, bicyclists, freight carriers and government officials on Monday night urged state lawmakers…