Another city in Washington state bans income taxes

Just The News

Kennewick, southeast of Seattle, is now the sixth municipality in Washington state to ban income taxes.

The city joins Battle Ground, Granger, Spokane, Spokane Valley and Union Gap. Voters in Yakima will vote on a charter amendment this November that would ban a local income tax.

The Kennewick City Council voted on the matter Tuesday night.

“The city council hereby declares that a local income tax would be in direct conflict with the high value the city places on promoting economic development through the attraction and expansion of financially healthy, family-wage paying employers,” read the council’s resolution. “Small businesses are the backbone of our local, regional, state and national economy and it is imperative not put unnecessary hurdles in the way of their success. As such, the Kennewick City Council prohibits the imposition of a local income tax in the event a local income tax is determined legal by the Washington Supreme Court or the Washington State Legislature.”

At play here are two court cases.

The state Supreme Court in April of 2020 struck down an attempt by Seattle to impose an income tax on wealthy households. The city council there in 2017 approved a 2.2% tax on individuals earning more than $250,000 and couples earning more than $500,000. more