Seattle’s High-Earner Tax Facing Opposition in Court

shutterstock_610045187

Seattle’s High-Earner Tax Facing Opposition in Court

There are only seven states in the U.S. that don’t charge income tax, and Washington State is one of them. However, that all changed earlier this year, for some taxpayers in the state, when lawmakers in Seattle created what amounts to being an income tax on the wealthy.

Those who favor the tax say it’s necessary in order to help fund many of the city’s livability issues, such as public transportation, and affordable housing. The new law only applies to individual who make more than $250,000 a year and to couples that make more than $500,000 a year. The 2.25 percent tax also only applies to the portion of their income over those amounts. So far, the city is not collecting the tax even though it has been approved.

Those who oppose the law have taken matters into their own hands by taking the city to court. By approving the tax, Seattle went against a state Supreme Court precedent from the 1930’s, when the government amended the state Constitution to include an extremely wide definition of property.

Rob McKenna, who is representing the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, says there is “another clause in the state Constitution, which mandates all property be taxed the same.” Therefore, all income should be taxed uniformly. Thus, because state law does not allow an income tax, cities are not allowed to impose one.

And so far, the court agrees. A King County Superior Court ruled last week that the tax is illegal. However, the battle is not over. The city has already said it plans to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, where the matter was expected to end up all along.

 

We hope you found this article about “Seattle’s High-Earner Tax Facing Opposition in Court” helpful.  If you have questions or need expert tax or family office advice that’s refreshingly objective (we never sell investments), please contact us or visit our Family office page  or our website at www.GROCO.com.  Unfortunately, we no longer give advice to other tax professionals gratis.

To receive our free newsletter, contact us here.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more updates.

Alan Olsen, CPA

Alan Olsen, is the Host of the American Dreams Show and the Managing Partner of GROCO.com.  GROCO is a premier family office and tax advisory firm located in the San Francisco Bay area serving clients all over the world.

Alan L. Olsen, CPA, Wikipedia Bio

 

 

GROCO.com is a proud sponsor of The American Dreams Show.

 

American-Dreams-Show-Accounting-firm-in-ca-cpa-tax-advisors-groco-alan-olsen

The American Dreams show was the brainchild of Alan Olsen, CPA, MBA. It was originally created to fill a specific need; often inexperienced entrepreneurs lacked basic information about raising capital and how to successfully start a business.

Alan sincerely wanted to respond to the many requests from aspiring entrepreneurs asking for the information and introductions they needed. But he had to find a way to help in which his venture capital clients and friends would not mind.

The American Dreams show became the solution, first as a radio show and now with YouTube videos as well. Always respectful of interview guest’s time, he’s able to give access to individuals information and inspiration previously inaccessible to the first-time entrepreneurs who need it most.

They can listen to venture capitalists and successful business people explain first-hand, how they got to where they are, how to start a company, how to overcome challenges, how they see the future evolving, opportunities, work-life balance and so much more..

American Dreams discusses many topics from some of the world’s most successful individuals about their secrets to life’s success. Topics from guest have included:

Creating purpose in life / Building a foundation for their life / Solving problems / Finding fulfillment through philanthropy and service / Becoming self-reliant / Enhancing effective leadership / Balancing family and work…

Untitled_Artwork copy 4

MyPaths.com (Also sponsored by GROCO) provides free access to content and world-class entrepreneurs, influencers and thought leaders’ personal success stories. To help you find your path in life to true, sustainable success & happiness.  It’s mission statement:

In an increasingly complex and difficult world, we hope to help you find your personal path in life and build a strong foundation by learning how others found success and happiness. True and sustainable success and happiness are different for each one of us but possible, often despite significant challenges.

Our mission at MyPaths.com is to provide resources and firsthand accounts of how others found their paths in life, so you can do the same.

Posted in
Could You Pay More to Drink Soda in Berkeley?

Could You Pay More to Drink Soda in Berkeley?

Could You Pay More to Drink Soda in Berkeley? We all know that obesity is a problem in our country. Activists and other interested parties continue to work on ways to help curb this growing problem. Indeed, obesity is neither good for individuals or for our country. However, would creating a new tax to help…

What Happened to California’s Tax Revenue in May?

What Happened to California’s Tax Revenue in May?

Where has all of California’s money gone? Ok, so the state isn’t bankrupt or anything like that, but according to recent reports, the state’s tax revenues fell short by 5.5 percent in the month of May. That marks the first time in six months that California’s revenues have not reached expectations. In fact, that 5.5…

Beware the Pump: Another Gas Tax Is on the Way

Beware the Pump: Another Gas Tax Is on the Way

If you’ve had enough with California’s high gas prices, then you might not want to keep reading, because just when you thought things couldn’t get any worse, they are about to. That’s because when 2015 rolls around California residents are going to have to pay another new gas tax. In fact it’s a double-digit hike…

Try These Five Tips For Tax Savings in 2014

Try These Five Tips For Tax Savings in 2014

Everyone loves to save on their taxes, especially since it seems like the government never runs out of ways to add to American’s tax bill. So let’s discuss some helpful tips to reduce your tax bill. Although it might be too late to implement these ideas for last year’s return – unless you file an…