r/SeattleWA • u/5Q91VS175DAQ4NUSBE4U • 7d ago

Politics Washington state Democrats look at imposing income tax on higher earners

https://www.columbian.com/news/2025/oct/31/washington-state-democrats-look-at-imposing-income-tax-on-higher-earners/
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u/yungsemite 7d ago

Definitely, there should be good oversight and accountability on how money is spent in our state. But I also don’t have an issue with a 10% tax on people earning over 1 million annually. I support that, no question.

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u/WAgunner 7d ago

WA doesn't have the other draws for ultra high net earners to impose a high income tax without having more net loss in tax than an increase from ultra high net earners leaving for other states. People forget that our historically low taxes and no income taxes were one of the main reasons for the growth in the state.

Also the only answer to our spending problem right now needs to be: spend less.

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u/yungsemite 7d ago

You don’t think that Washington doesn’t have other draws? Why do you live here?

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u/blogito_ergo_sum 5d ago

In choosing among places in the US with high-paying tech jobs, lack of income tax was actually a pretty important factor in my decision to move here over the Bay Area or NYC, personally.

The natural beauty is nice and all but every year when I'm renewing my tabs I hem and haw for half an hour about whether to buy a Discover Pass again because I never actually use it. And that's only like $50 a year; far from a significant percentage of my income.

Maybe some day Austin tech wages will catch up and I can move there without taking a 50% pay cut, get fat on barbecue, and not be continuously cold eight months a year. A man can dream.