Seattle City Council Approves Local Income Tax

[RJ]

http://knkx.org/post/seattle-city-council-approves-local-income-tax-high-earners

"The Seattle City Council voted 9-0 Monday to pass a citywide income tax on high earners.

The 2.25-percent tax applies to annual income over $250,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a couple filing jointly.

Mayor Ed Murray supports the tax and is expected to sign it into law. "

What the actual?

I've never heard of a local government below State level leveeing an income tax. Or maybe I don't get out much. But seriously, how in the hell do they get away with this?

[MichaelD]

They're just trying to be like New York City, which also has an income tax: http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/3010/new-york-city-personal-income-tax

Think of it as another reason to avoid living in liberal crapholes (although I have quite a soft spot for the Seattle I remember as a kid on vacation).

[Lon]

Very common in OH. The City I work in has a 1% income tax. For everyone. Not just high earners. So if you live in town you HAVE to file a city return. Even if you don't work. I don't live in town so don't file a return, but still pay the tax.

[Hambo]

Very common in OH. The City I work in has a 1% income tax. For everyone. Not just high earners. So if you live in town you HAVE to file a city return. Even if you don't work. I don't live in town so don't file a return, but still pay the tax.

So did the city I lived/worked in. The instructions were simple: take the largest number on your W2 and give us 2% of that.

[Chance]

Liberal utopias for the win.

17983

[SeriousStudent]

Back when I lived in Kentucky, we experienced the same thing.

Federal income taxes, then Commonwealth of Kentucky taxes, then Jefferson County taxes, then City of Louisville taxes.

Mrs Serious de jure and I became tax exiles, moving across the Ohio River to Indiana. We immediately received a $5,000 bump in our net paychecks.

Good luck to 'em. We moved out, and never looked back.

[HCM]

They're just trying to be like New York City, which also has an income tax: http://www1.nyc.gov/nyc-resources/service/3010/new-york-city-personal-income-tax

Think of it as another reason to avoid living in liberal crapholes (although I have quite a soft spot for the Seattle I remember as a kid on vacation).

NYC has both an income tax on residents and a "commuter tax" on those working in NYC but residing elsewhere.

[Casual Friday]

Seattle is a shithole.

[HCM]

Seattle is a shithole.

They need the income tax - free needles and Narcan are expensive.

[TGS]

Philly also has an income tax.

[okie john]

They need the income tax - free needles and Narcan are expensive.

Close. The logic is that the city will need the money to "Trump-proof" Seattle, replacing any funds they lose over choosing to remain a sanctuary city. The state constitution clearly spells out that cities may not levy income taxes, but that didn't stop the City Council.

I lived in Seattle for nearly 30 years and I dearly love the place. It used to be glorious--naturally beautiful, great beer, strong history, but still a place where a blue-collar man or woman stood a chance and could provide a pretty good life for their families. Now it's ruled by tech money, monstrous traffic, and the median home price is $700k. It's become a truly shitty place to live unless you're a millionaire, a junkie, a hobo, or an illegal immigrant, in which case you'll love it here.

I live just outside of Seattle in a city that isn't rotting from the inside. I've gotten to the point where I don't do or buy anything in Seattle that I can do or buy anywhere else. I'll be in the market for a house soon, and it will NOT be in Seattle. That's not because of cost, but because of things like this tax, the proposed heroin injection sites, firearms tax (https://pistol-forum.com/showthread.php?18462-Judge-rules-Seattle-s-quot-Gun-Violence-Tax-quot-can-stand), the free Narcan, the homeless problem, the traffic, the gang war that the local press ignores, the city government ignoring ICE, and so on.

About the only way I'd rethink that is if Greg Hamilton can get himself elected mayor.


Okie John

[Willard]

Back when I lived in Kentucky, we experienced the same thing.

Federal income taxes, then Commonwealth of Kentucky taxes, then Jefferson County taxes, then City of Louisville taxes.

Mrs Serious de jure and I became tax exiles, moving across the Ohio River to Indiana. We immediately received a $5,000 bump in our net paychecks.

Good luck to 'em. We moved out, and never looked back.

Interesting Serious. I was a KY native when I joined the military (2nd time). I spent all of a week in the Commonwealth my first year and still owed taxes at the end of the year. I THINK I paid 0 deductions with 2 of us, but in any case paid full amount for 2. I changed to TX after meeting all prerequisites and never looked back. They force out people that way. Not how I'd run a business, but maybe it works for them. My brother still lives there. Apparently Lexington has a similar scheme.

[SeriousStudent]

Interesting Serious. I was a KY native when I joined the military (2nd time). I spent all of a week in the Commonwealth my first year and still owed taxes at the end of the year. I THINK I paid 0 deductions with 2 of us, but in any case paid full amount for 2. I changed to TX after meeting all prerequisites and never looked back. They force out people that way. Not how I'd run a business, but maybe it works for them. My brother still lives there. Apparently Lexington has a similar scheme.

I loved Kentucky, especially Bardstown. Just terrific folks everywhere we went. But sheesh, the taxes were crazy.

Thank you for your service, especially the second time around.

[farscott]

First, it is not legal for Seattle to impose an income tax based on a 1984 Washington state law. In addition, Washington's constitution as been interpreted for more than eighty years as not allowing any income tax over one percent or any tax not equally applied. So, there will be a challenge.

Second, Kentucky is a mess tax-wise. State and city income taxes, and state, county, and city property taxes. And a very strange definition of a business. Because my condo was a second residence and owned via a trust, the City of Rolling Hills wanted to tax it as a rental -- even though I never rented it to anyone. The idea that I could have more than one residence just did not fit the tax scheme.

[Zincwarrior]

http://knkx.org/post/seattle-city-council-approves-local-income-tax-high-earners

"The Seattle City Council voted 9-0 Monday to pass a citywide income tax on high earners.

The 2.25-percent tax applies to annual income over $250,000 for an individual and $500,000 for a couple filing jointly.

Mayor Ed Murray supports the tax and is expected to sign it into law. "

What the actual?

I've never heard of a local government below State level leveeing an income tax. Or maybe I don't get out much. But seriously, how in the hell do they get away with this?

Several cities charge income taxes. It is unusual to a Texan.

[SamAdams]

Seattle used to be a blue collar town (airplanes, commercial fishing, lumber). It's character has completely changed over the decades. The physical surroundings are still beautiful, especially in the summer. The atmosphere of the place has drastically deteriorated. - - I happened to be there on election night 2008. I was in a German bar and they had the election coverage going on three t.v.s Back then, I never thought someone as unqualified & obviously socialistic as Obama would be elected. The bar was packed with cheering Seattle-lites, all with semi adoring looks on their faces. It was quite a chilling feeling to be there. It felt like I had been transported to Germany in 1933.

I couldn't wait to get outta that bar and outta that town.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[Drang]

Also, note that it was originally a 2% tax "on the rich."

Before it was even enacted it was raised to 2.25% "on the rich."

After it was voted on, but before it was signed it was raised to a 2.5% tax "on the rich."
Washington State Republican Party » The Dirty Dozen: 12 Reasons Why the Seattle Income Tax is a Disaster (https://wsrp.org/dirty-dozen/)

It’s unconstitutional and violates state law:

1. Article VII of the Washington constitution stipulates that all taxes must be “uniform upon the same class of property.” A Seattle income tax would be in violation of the constitution’s uniformity clause. (Washington Constitution Art. 7, Sec. 1)
2. State law prohibits individual localities from adopting taxes on income. (RCW 36.65.030)
3. The Seattle City Council does not have an express grant of authority to levy an income tax. (King County v. City of Algona, 101 Wn.2d 789, 791, 681 P.2d 1281)

It’s against the will of the voters:

4. Nine times the voters of the state have overwhelmingly rejected an income tax.
5. Voters know that the income tax on higher earners (the few) is a slippery slope to an income tax on the middle class (the majority)– a risk voters specifically rejected in 2010.

It’s an invasion of privacy and ripe for abuse:

6. ALL residents would be required to report their income to local “IRS-style” bureaucrats, who may be their neighbors—an invasion of privacy and susceptible to government “anonymous leaks” of their private information.

It’s costly and wasteful spending:

7. This scheme is intended to force an income tax on the entire state by moving the bill through the judicial system to the State Supreme Court. With no guarantees of overturning the state constitution, litigation costs would run to the $multi-millions.
8. A giant “IRS” bureaucracy to administer the income tax compliance and collection would cost (by their own estimates) $20million but would likely be much higher.

It’s unfair to the already overtaxed citizens of Seattle:

9. The past four years, Seattle government’s budget has ballooned by 35%, more than 8% per year average when inflation was less than 2% — a spending increase of $2000 per resident.
10. Even as property taxes, sales taxes, user taxes and car tabs have risen, citizens see problems such as homelessness, addiction, roads, traffic, housing and crime devastating our communities. Why give more of our money to be so poorly and inefficiently spent?
11. Washington citizens already pay more per capita in taxes than almost every state in the country except the urban Northeast and California. With an income tax, jobs flee to lower-tax locations.
12. Where “millionaire taxes” have been implemented across the country, millionaires move to more tax friendly cities, but the working class can’t move so easily. Detroit, anyone?

[RevolverRob]

Not even Chicago has a city income tax...

There is a stellar professional position in Seattle that I am qualified for and I've been tempted to apply for it...but it's tough to swallow the idea of being taxed out the ass and having to live in Seattle. I spent a week there last year and I'm not in a huge hurry to return...Simultaneously, it's basically one of the best jobs posted in recent years...:mad:

[SeriousStudent]

Not even Chicago has a city income tax...

There is a stellar professional position in Seattle that I am qualified for and I've been tempted to apply for it...but it's tough to swallow the idea of being taxed out the ass and having to live in Seattle. I spent a week there last year and I'm not in a huge hurry to return...Simultaneously, it's basically one of the best jobs posted in recent years...:mad:

Yeah, I have been offered two prime gigs in the Seattle area in the last 12 months. Es no beuno..

One of my most trusted minions went there two years ago, and Could. Not. Wait. to get back home.

[ranger]

Not even Chicago has a city income tax...

There is a stellar professional position in Seattle that I am qualified for and I've been tempted to apply for it...but it's tough to swallow the idea of being taxed out the ass and having to live in Seattle. I spent a week there last year and I'm not in a huge hurry to return...Simultaneously, it's basically one of the best jobs posted in recent years...:mad:

I am sure if the job is physically in Seattle they will let you telework - that is the most progressive way to be employed, right?

[okie john]

I am sure if the job is physically in Seattle they will let you telework - that is the most progressive way to be employed, right?

A lot of tech companies are moving to Seattle because it's cheaper than the Bay Area. A lot of Seattle companies let you work from home because it's cheaper than leasing office space.


Okie John

[OlongJohnson]

Once you get outside Seattle, the PNW and its outdoors culture is awesome. Lots of hunting, lots of neat little gun shops, fantastic hiking, skiing and boating. Scenery that's just stunning. I miss the mountains and ocean every damn day. But getting in and out of Seattle, and having to be in Seattle, will make life suck during the week.

[Drang]

Not even Chicago has a city income tax...

There is a stellar professional position in Seattle that I am qualified for and I've been tempted to apply for it...but it's tough to swallow the idea of being taxed out the ass and having to live in Seattle. I spent a week there last year and I'm not in a huge hurry to return...Simultaneously, it's basically one of the best jobs posted in recent years...:mad:

I would suggest that you work in the city and commute, but they would probably tax your income for working in the city, and after a few months of that commute you would probably track me down and kick my ass.

But getting in and out of Seattle, and having to be in Seattle, will make life suck during the week.
I try to limit my exposure to Seattle to passing through on my way somewhere else, and even that is too much.

[NEPAKevin]

I would suggest that you work in the city and commute, but they would probably tax your income for working in the city, and after a few months of that commute you would probably track me down and kick my ass.


Since its a sanctuary city, couldn't one just use an alias and refuse to fill out a W2 and I9, i.e. pretend to be undocumented and not pay any taxes? Fair is fair, right?

[RevolverRob]

Yeah, I have been offered two prime gigs in the Seattle area in the last 12 months. Es no beuno..

One of my most trusted minions went there two years ago, and Could. Not. Wait. to get back home.

If this weren't a once-in-every-10-years kind of job. I'd probably pass on applying.


I am sure if the job is physically in Seattle they will let you telework - that is the most progressive way to be employed, right?

It's tough to run a biology lab, supervise PhD students, and teach courses from the comfort of my own bed...but man I wish I could.


I would suggest that you work in the city and commute, but they would probably tax your income for working in the city, and after a few months of that commute you would probably track me down and kick my ass.

I try to limit my exposure to Seattle to passing through on my way somewhere else, and even that is too much.

I think almost everyone I know working there commutes from the various 'burbs. I would undoubtedly do the same, because I have no interest in living in Seattle. Seattle is like the worst of the liberal shit sides of Austin and SF combined, but without the redeeming qualities (i.e., good weather, nice architecture, interesting culture, and amazing food).


Since its a sanctuary city, couldn't one just use an alias and refuse to fill out a W2 and I9, i.e. pretend to be undocumented and not pay any taxes? Fair is fair, right?

This is an interesting proposition. If and it's a BIG IF I were to get this particular job, I'll undoubtedly be seeking professional advice from a tax attorney and a tax accountant for "loopholes".

[Totem Polar]

A lot of tech companies are moving to Seattle because it's cheaper than the Bay Area. A lot of Seattle companies let you work from home because it's cheaper than leasing office space.


There is a very minor, nascent exodus of tech types from Seattle to the east side beginning to take hold. Once you make that leap from working in the office one day and telecommuting 4 to just telecommuting everyday, there's no reason to pay for Seattle cost-of-living. A lot of people are probably thinking it, just not saying it out loud yet.
RevolverRob you should apply for the gig. A great gig in a marginal place beats a marginal gig in a great place. Just ask a Mexican Ferrari dealer or a Hawaiian taco bell prep cook.

[SamAdams]

Undoubtedly, the definition of 'the rich' will be revised downward in Seattle in future years. And, they'll come up with some touchy-feely 'reason' why they 'need' the money. ("It's for the children !")

[RevolverRob]

RevolverRob you should apply for the gig. A great gig in a marginal place beats a marginal gig in a great place. Just ask a Mexican Ferrari dealer or a Hawaiian taco bell prep cook.

Yea, I am with you there. I've basically decided to apply for the job if I can get a couple of more manuscripts submitted before Sept 1. (Job app deadline is in Nov). That'll basically make me as competitive as I can be at my given stage.

That said, I doubt, highly, that I will be interviewed. I might make the short list of candidates, but I figure there will be 3-400 applicants for 3 faculty positions, because they have opened up applications to include ABD doctoral candidates (that's me!). So, I only have to be part of the 1% to get hired. But hell, it's not any worse than getting into my PhD program...where 500 applicants applied and 5 were admitted, so to hell with it.

[Drang]

Undoubtedly, the definition of 'the rich' will be revised downward in Seattle in future years. And, they'll come up with some touchy-feely 'reason' why they 'need' the money. ("It's for the children !")

Using the history of the Federal Income Tax as a guide...

[Drang]

Since its a sanctuary city, couldn't one just use an alias and refuse to fill out a W2 and I9, i.e. pretend to be undocumented and not pay any taxes? Fair is fair, right?

You're assuming the commies running that asylum aren't hypocrites. Note the establishment of neighborhood snitches to ensure everyone does their part, comrade!

[SamAdams]

You're assuming the commies running that asylum aren't hypocrites. Note the establishment of neighborhood snitches to ensure everyone does their part, comrade!

Didn't they do that with recycle pick-up, or some damned thing ? 'See something, say something'

"You put recyclables in the regular bin. Your neighbors reported it. Off to the gulag for you !"

[Drang]

They passed a law for the garbage man to dime you out if you mis-sorted the recycles. Seattle is one of those places where you have a separate bin for each type of recycle. Oh, and Seattle schools require parents to spend time working as "volunteers". "Sorry, I can't come to work today, I have to help Johnnie's teacher pass out finger paints."

I believe they still have the signs encouraging you to report high occupancy vehicle lane offenders, too, although I could be wrong. The 800 number for that, BTW, ended in HERO...

[okie john]

There is a very minor, nascent exodus of tech types from Seattle to the east side beginning to take hold. Once you make that leap from working in the office one day and telecommuting 4 to just telecommuting everyday, there's no reason to pay for Seattle cost-of-living. A lot of people are probably thinking it, just not saying it out loud yet.
RevolverRob you should apply for the gig. A great gig in a marginal place beats a marginal gig in a great place. Just ask a Mexican Ferrari dealer or a Hawaiian taco bell prep cook.

I'm one of these people, except that I'm south of Seattle. Two very good ranges are within 30 minutes of my house. I'm actually on a micro-break between conference calls right now (1215 hrs local).


Okie John

[RevolverRob]

I never thought I would say this...But there is an upside the high volume of violent crime, crooked politicians, and broad-scale unionization in Chicago. None of them are interested in government-paid snitches, or doing extra work for the man.

My garbage-men aren't going to dime me out for not sorting my recyclables properly. Hell, they don't want me to do that, because otherwise the amount of garbage would be reduced and it would cut into the union-mandated three-times a week trash pickup.

And the politicians aren't going to push that, because that would mean a reduction in kickback money slushing their funds from the unions.

And the cops don't show up, if you call in a drunk driver or a psychotic homeless man standing in traffic naked. Why do they give a fuck about HOV lanes? Oh right. The cops can't show up to drunk driver or psycho homeless calls, because they have real violent crime to deal with.

[okie john]

They passed a law for the garbage man to dime you out if you mis-sorted the recycles. Seattle is one of those places where you have a separate bin for each type of recycle. Oh, and Seattle schools require parents to spend time working as "volunteers". "Sorry, I can't come to work today, I have to help Johnnie's teacher pass out finger paints."

I believe they still have the signs encouraging you to report high occupancy vehicle lane offenders, too, although I could be wrong. The 800 number for that, BTW, ended in HERO...

About a year ago, some guy decapitated a hooker and put her head in a recycle bin. The SPD knew immediately to look for him outside the city limits--a Seattle murderer would have put her head in the yard waste bin. Turns out he lived in Renton.


Okie John

[RJ]

Undoubtedly, the definition of 'the rich' will be revised downward in Seattle in future years. And, they'll come up with some touchy-feely 'reason' why they 'need' the money. ("It's for the children !")

Yeah.

I seem to recall comments from the Progressives referring to "much-needed revenue."

I get twitchy when other people decide my dollars are a subset of their "much-needed revenue."

[SamAdams]

I was born in Seattle. (Actually at Ft. Lawton. I was an Army brat. That's in the Magnolia area and was turned over to the city during one of the periodic base closings.) Lived in West Seattle for awhile as a kid & have a brother who lives just north of city limits.
Seattle used to be a great place. It doesn't sound like it is any more. Too damned many fools there now. A damned shame.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Pro

[RJ]

Today's news story tickler on KOMO Seattle is 'What's the #1 thing you can do to save the Planet.'

Woah.

[RevolverRob]

Today's news story tickler on KOMO Seattle is 'What's the #1 thing you can do to save the Planet.'

Woah.

Suicide.

[Totem Polar]

This may or may not belong here but, so long as we are discussing city Seattle council stuff, what the heck:

https://heatst.com/culture-wars/seattle-councilman-objects-to-hosing-excrement-covered-sidewalks-because-its-racist/?mod=sm_fb_post

"A Seattle councilman has come out against an effort to hose sidewalks to wash excrement off outside local courthouse, claiming it’s racist."

[Coyotesfan97]

I liked the comment about giving that council member a bucket and a rag then. A power washer reminds me of a firehose. Oh my God microaggression!

[okie john]

This may or may not belong here but, so long as we are discussing city Seattle council stuff, what the heck:

https://heatst.com/culture-wars/seattle-councilman-objects-to-hosing-excrement-covered-sidewalks-because-its-racist/?mod=sm_fb_post

"A Seattle councilman has come out against an effort to hose sidewalks to wash excrement off outside local courthouse, claiming it’s racist."

Unfortunately, this is exactly where it belongs.


Okie John