Budget & Taxes (Business Taxes)

in committee · Washington · House Feb 27, 2026

HB 2743: Reducing state property taxes.

HB 2743 reduces Washington state property taxes by $2.1 billion for 2027, applying to all property owners statewide. The bill amends tax code to cap the combined state property tax rate at $3.60 per $1,000 of assessed value and mandates this specific $2.1 billion reduction in the 2027 tax levy. It does not change tax rates for prior years but sets a permanent cap on future combined tax levies. This is a direct adjustment to the state's property tax collection amount, not a rate change for individual properties. The bill affects all taxable property within Washington, as the tax is statewide.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill reduces property taxes by $2.1B with permanent rate cap, providing direct tax relief - aligns with support indicators for tax relief.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Property Tax

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signed · Washington · House Mar 31, 2026

HB 2711: Concerning transportation resources.

HB 2711 adjusts Washington State's motor vehicle fuel tax structure, directly affecting fuel licensees (gas stations, distributors) and fuel suppliers. It adds new tax rates, including 6 cents per gallon for regular fuel starting July 2025 and 3 cents per gallon for special fuel starting July 2027, while creating automatic annual 2% increases for both regular and special fuel taxes beginning July 2026. The bill specifies detailed calculations for these annual adjustments, requiring the state treasurer to recalculate rates each July 1 based on prior tax rates and rounding to the nearest thousandth of a dollar. It also clarifies when fuel taxes apply, such as when fuel is removed from terminals, entered into the state, or sold to unlicensed entities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases motor vehicle fuel tax rates with automatic annual hikes, directly raising tax revenue for state budget.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases fuel taxes (6¢/gal regular, 3¢/gal special) with automatic annual 2% hikes, directly generating revenue for transportation infrastructure funding per tax structure adjustments.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Transportation Funding

in committee · Washington · House Feb 19, 2026

HJR 4213: Amending the Constitution to allow for an income tax.

HJR 4213 proposes amending Washington's state constitution to permit an income tax. If approved, it would allow the legislature to tax income above $1 million annually (adjusted yearly for inflation), with a maximum tax rate of 9.9%. The bill sets a threshold that excludes individuals earning $1 million or less per year from the tax, and requires annual inflation adjustments to this threshold using the Seattle-area consumer price index. This constitutional change must be voted on by Washington voters in the next general election.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables income tax on high earners ($1M+), increasing state revenue without taxing lower/middle income, strengthening fiscal management through targeted taxation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Income Tax

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 28, 2026

HB 2745: Increasing temporarily insurance premium taxes on insurers to fund health insurance premium assistance.

HB 2745 temporarily increases the insurance premium tax rate for Washington insurers to fund health insurance premium assistance. For 2026, the tax rises to 2.75% (from a base 2.0%), and for 2027 onward, it remains at 2.0%. The portion of the tax exceeding 2% must be deposited into the state health care affordability account to support a program helping residents pay health insurance premiums. The bill prohibits insurers from passing this tax increase to consumers through higher premiums or rates, unless the insurance commissioner approves it to prevent carrier insolvency or consumer harm.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill temporarily increases insurer tax to fund health premium assistance program, directly allocating tax revenue to support public health affordability service.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds premium assistance for residents via increased insurer taxes, preventing premium hikes. Directly advances healthcare affordability through dedicated funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Insurance

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in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 15, 2026

SB 6150: Providing tax relief for businesses and properties impacted by the Fairfax bridge closure.

SB 6150 provides tax relief for businesses and property owners in a specific area affected by the Fairfax bridge closure. It exempts businesses from certain state taxes (under RCW 82.04) on income received during the closure and waives property taxes (under RCW 84.36) for properties located within three miles of State Route 165 south of the SR 162 junction. The relief applies from January 1, 2026 (property taxes) or July 1, 2026 (business taxes) through the end of the calendar year when a new bridge opens over the Carbon River. Both exemptions expire the year after the new bridge opens, with property tax relief also applying retroactively to 2026 taxes.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides explicit tax exemptions/waivers for businesses and properties impacted by bridge closure, directly advancing tax relief under Budget & Taxes topic per indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 30, 2026

HB 2708: Removing a tax exemption for the replacement of equipment for data centers.

HB 2708 removes a tax exemption for data center equipment replacement in Washington State, directly affecting data center operators currently using this exemption. The bill eliminates the tax break for purchasing new server equipment and power infrastructure, with existing exemptions set to expire by July 2048. It also requires qualifying data centers to meet new employment thresholds - adding 35 family wage jobs or 3 per 20,000 sq ft of new server space - to maintain their exemption. New exemption certificates for refurbished data centers can no longer be issued after July 2026, and all new applications for this exemption are prohibited after that date.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves tax exemption for data centers, closing a loophole to increase state revenue and strengthen fiscal management.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates data centers to add 'family wage jobs' as condition to maintain tax exemption, directly promoting job creation and quality employment standards.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill eliminates tax exemption for data center equipment replacement, increasing operational costs for tech infrastructure operators and restricting financial incentives for data center expansion.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Procurement Tax Incentives

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in committee · Washington · House Jan 13, 2026

HB 2404: Reducing taxes on special fuels.

HB 2404 reverses a planned tax increase on special fuels (like diesel) that was set to take effect July 1, 2025, by reducing the cumulative tax rate to match levels from July 1, 2016. It directly affects fuel licensees (gas stations and distributors) and businesses using diesel, such as freight haulers and food producers, by lowering their tax burden. The bill amends Washington’s tax code to eliminate the 2025 tax hike and prevent future increases, aiming to reduce fuel costs that impact food and goods prices. This change is intended to keep fuel purchases within Washington, potentially lowering costs for locally produced goods and improving economic competitiveness. The bill does not create new taxes but stops an existing planned increase.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesReverses planned tax increase on special fuels, providing direct tax relief to businesses and lowering fuel costs per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes

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in committee · Washington · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 2528: Creating uniformity for the process by which cities planning under the growth management act implement real estate excise taxes.

HB 2528 standardizes how cities and counties under Washington’s Growth Management Act can impose a 0.25% real estate sales tax to fund capital projects. It requires tax revenue to be used exclusively for specific infrastructure like roads, parks, airports, and affordable housing projects, with limits on how much can fund homelessness housing (capped at 25% of funds or $100,000, whichever is greater). Cities must identify these projects in their budget and may need voter approval for new taxes, while ensuring funds align with comprehensive planning requirements. The bill updates existing law to create uniform rules across jurisdictions, replacing inconsistent local approaches.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesStandardizes real estate tax for infrastructure/funding, mandates specific capital project use with fiscal caps, promoting responsible budget management.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingMandates real estate tax revenue for affordable housing projects with 25% cap on homelessness housing funding, directly advancing housing funding requirements.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill mandates 0.25% real estate tax revenue fund roads, airports, and infrastructure projects under Growth Management Act, explicitly linking to transportation infrastructure funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Revenue Sales Tax Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Taxes

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signed · Washington · Senate Apr 1, 2026

SB 6231: Removing a tax exemption for the replacement of equipment for data centers.

SB 6231 removes a tax exemption that previously allowed data centers to avoid sales tax on equipment replacements. This directly affects data center operators and tenants who currently benefit from the exemption, ending new applications after July 1, 2026, and requiring existing exemption holders to meet new job creation rules. Specifically, data centers must demonstrate a net increase of 35 family-wage jobs (or 3 per 20,000 sq ft) to maintain their exemption, with the requirement applying to both owners and tenants. All existing exemptions for equipment replacement will expire by July 1, 2048, and no new exemptions can be issued after 2026. The bill aims to generate state revenue by ending this tax preference while tying existing benefits to job growth requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves tax exemption for data centers, closing a loophole to increase state revenue and promote fiscal responsibility per Budget & Taxes indicators.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires data centers to create 35 family-wage jobs to maintain tax exemption, directly advancing employment standards and worker compensation.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax Tax Incentives

in committee · Washington · Senate Jan 12, 2026

SB 6012: Exempting schools from retail sales tax imposed on certain services.

SB 6012 exempts schools (both public and private) from paying Washington's retail sales tax on certain services they purchase for operational use, such as cleaning, repairs, or maintenance. The bill amends state tax law (RCW 82.04.050) to exclude these school-purchased services from the definition of "retail sale," removing the tax obligation for schools. This change directly affects schools by reducing their operational costs for essential services, without altering tax treatment for other businesses. The bill is currently pending in committee after being prefaced for introduction in January 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts schools from retail sales tax on operational services, reducing costs and providing tax relief for public education institutions.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationExempts schools from sales tax on operational services, reducing costs and effectively increasing available funds for schools without altering direct funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Sales Tax

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