taxes

With tax collections down and costs climbing, Washington’s outgoing governor tamps down expectations as he makes spending decisions in his final budget proposal.

With the changes in fueling options, lawmakers are worried that gas taxes might no longer fund roads and bridge maintenance. Could fees on deliveries be the solution?

Direct File, an electronic system for filing returns directly to the IRS for free, is now available for taxpayers from selected states, including Washington.

Cowlitz officials are discussing ending a tax that pays for mobile crisis units used by local police, mental health services in the jail, and programs like the local drug court.

Charles and Kathleen Moore of Redmond, Wash., are about to have their day in the Supreme Court over a $15,000 tax bill they believe is unconstitutional. The case could upend parts of the U.S. tax code and rule out a much-discussed but never-enacted tax on wealth.

Proponents say it would build five centers around King County that would act as emergency rooms for mental help and recovery treatment. Voters will decide whether to impose a property tax to fund it in a special election on April 25.

Political ads playing during local broadcasts, including during the NCAA tournament, have targeted a Democrat-proposed tax in the Washington state legislature.

The Washington Supreme Court has ruled in a 7-2 decision to uphold the state's new capital gain tax.

The Washington state Supreme Court heard arguments Thursday over an effort to balance what is considered the nation’s most regressive state tax code. Democrats in Olympia enacted a 7% capital gains tax in 2021 on the sale of stocks, bonds and other high-end assets. But it faces a legal challenge from wealthy residents and business groups who say it violates the state and federal constitutions.

Progressive legislators are hoping the time is right to hike taxes on the rich, especially after three pandemic years. In a coordinated effort, lawmakers in eight states are proposing new taxes on their resident billionaires and ultra-millionaires.