Preventing a local and state income tax
![]()
Our letter to the Attorney General
Washington House Republican letter to Attorney General Bob Ferguson asking him to defend the constitutionality of a state law (RCW 36.65.030) that prohibits local government from imposing taxes on net income | September 26, 2017
News release: Nealey, Republican lawmakers urge Attorney General to defend state law against local income taxes | September 27, 2017
GOP lawmakers ask AG Bob Ferguson to take part in Seattle income tax fight — Puget Sound Business Journal | September 27, 2017
The Attorney General’s response
Attorney General Bob Ferguson letter to Washington House Republicans saying his office “rarely intervenes” in these types of cases, but that they are analyzing the issue and will notify us when a decision is made | October 6, 2017
Washington AG Bob Ferguson writes back to Republicans on Seattle income tax fight — Puget Sound Business Journal | October 30, 2017
Attorney General Bob Ferguson tells Austin Jenkins of TVW that he still doesn’t know if his office will weigh in on the income-tax case and declines to share his legal opinion on the issue – Inside Olympia | November 30, 2017
State law
RCW 36.65.030 | A county, city, or city-county shall not levy a tax on net income. | [1984 c 91 § 3.]
City of Seattle’s Ordinance 125339
City of Seattle’s ordinance imposing an income tax on high-income residents
Seattle City Council approves income tax on the rich, but quick legal challenge likely — The Seattle Times | July 10, 2017
Two more suits filed to block Seattle’s new income tax — The Seattle Times | August 9, 2017
“The proponents also said the measure would serve as a legal test case for taxing income in Washington, possibly opening the door to a fairer tax system statewide.”
King County Superior Court Judge rules Seattle’s local income tax is illegal | November 22, 2017
Judge rules income tax illegal but Seattle vows to fight on — Crosscut | November 22, 2017
A legislative solution
House Bill 2212 (Rep. Brandon Vick) | Clarifying the prohibition of the imposition of a local income tax.
Rep. Brandon Vick introduces legislation to prevent local governments from implementing an income tax | May 9, 2017
Radio Report: Rep. Brandon Vick authors bill to stop cities from imposing income tax | May 12, 2017
Rep. Brandon Vick’s op-ed in the Puget Sound Business Journal: A state income tax should not be on the table in any form | April 6, 2018
A proposal to establish a new capital gains income tax in Washington state
House Bill 2967 | Assisting Washington families by improving the fairness of the state’s tax system by enacting a capital gains tax and providing property tax relief.
Past actions from the state Supreme Court, voters
“Timeless advice from WA Supreme Court on income taxes” — Jason Mercier, Director, Center for Government Reform, Washington Policy Center | September 6, 2017
Background on income tax ballot measures | Washington Secretary of State’s website
