Washington State B&O tax if I live and work in Oregon? (Portland: real estate)

[Rugbyduck7]

I recently went to work for a commercial real estate firm based in Vancouver, WA. I live in Beaverton and my office for the company is in Tigard. Upon doing my 1st deal I noticed a line item deduction of "WA State B&O Tax" which amounted to 1.5%. When working previously for a firm here in Portland and even doing deals in Washington, I never saw a B&O tax. My tax gal is saying I shouldn't be realizing that tax and the company is saying "We do it with everyone who works here." Mind you, I am the only person working in their Tigard office. Any additional thoughts here? For the record, I also pay a $2100 desk fee per month (if that means anything). My tax gal is saying THEY should be paying B&O based on that...but me, nothing on what I make.

[Nell Plotts]

When I lived in WA I paid B&O tax on consulting work I performed in WA. If the client and my work site were out of WA state it wasn't subject to the tax.

Evidently, the firm you are working for is treating you as an independent contractor. In my opinion, they have no right to deduct WA B&O tax from your fees. If they will not desist then I would cease my business relationship with them.

[Rugbyduck7]

I’m just trying to first wrap my head around all of it. I was in the phone for over an hour with the State of Washington and they were of no help. Asked me to call up the chain.