Posted on 02/17/2026 12:12:37 PM PST by Beave Meister
Washington state moved one step closer Monday to creating a personal income tax two years after the Legislature said it wouldn’t.
Majority Democrats in the Senate advanced legislation on a 27-22 vote to tax households earning more than a million dollars. Passage of the bill followed a three-and-a-half hour debate on whether this will make for a fairer tax code or harm the economy and incite an exodus of Washington’s wealthy residents.
House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma, who watched the vote from the wings of the Senate, was all smiles as she returned to her chamber.
“This is a place where the people and the governor and the Legislature are well-aligned,” she said of the tax. “We’ll keep working on the details.”
Senate Bill 6346 is one of the most politically divisive bills this session. Dubbed the “millionaires’ tax” by backers, it would impose a 9.9% levy on personal income over $1 million a year. The tax applies to household income, meaning married couples and registered domestic partners with combined earnings over that amount would pay.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonstatestandard.com ...
So if they want to go Biblical, why not make it 10% and call it a tithe?
The currently wealthy wish to do all in their power to prevent others from joining their ranks. Thus has it always been. That’s why these taxes are always on high-income, not high assets.
I guess the Democrats wanted to stay away from that biblical 10% tithe to the Church.
“Say goodbye to job creators.”
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Wonder if this tax applies to people (not the job creators) whose income gets a periodic boosts from selling assets such as investments in properties, businesses, and securities? That could really sting for people who are not routinely making big incomes and get slapped with a heavy tax just for selling something.
A million bucks doesn’t buy what it used to.
Washington State doesn’t have a state income tax I believe.
Why don’t they start one?
They already have a state capital gains tax for that.
If anybody thinks that this “millionaires tax’ isn’t going to eventually end up to be in “everybody tax”, they’re delusional. As it is, my family is going down to Florida sometime this year...and staying there.
Gonna bet this tax doesnt grab House Speaker Laurie Jinkins, D-Tacoma…..
Yes, there are taxes on capital gains (7% <$1M and 9.9% > $1M) however, as personal income is the sum of all income sources wouldn’t there also be also be a tax on total income exceeding $1M?. Just wondering how this will be interpreted (in a very liberal state).
Would it apply to selling your house?
Some will leave. Most, tho, will pay accountants to keep or restructure and reduce their taxable income to below $1 million.
Is is Constitutional?
Is is Constitutional?
Literally against the state’s constitution. Can only hope for judicial intervention.
An “income tax” is not allowed in the WA Constitution.
True enough, imagine selling either team, what are the taxes on BILLIONS? My guess, is there will be special deals, for special circumstances. Again, the WA Constitution forbids an income tax.
The WA Supreme Court is so liberal, they voted 4-5 to release the Green River Killer during Covid. One switched vote, and he would walk free. They didn’t want him to die of Covid in prison.
The WA Supreme Court does what the unions, tribes and other big election donors tell them to do. Silly restrictions like the law are for show.
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