Taxes (Seattle: sales, 2009, rent)

[HBelt]

I heard, somewhere, that Washington residents don't have state taxes withheld from their paychecks. Is this true?

If not true, what percentages is withheld?

[bigtrees]

Washington doesn't have an income tax, so no money is withheld (for state taxes).

The only money that would be withheld is for federal and occasionally local tax.

[MichaelinWA]

True, unless you work in another state. If you reside in Clark County, in southern Washington, but commute to a job in Portland, your employer will deduct Oregon state taxes, for example.

Originally Posted by HBelt

I heard, somewhere, that Washington residents don't have state taxes withheld from their paychecks. Is this true?

[Ira500]

It's true, no state income tax in WA. But high gas tax, high sales tax, high property tax.

[jinj]

No state income tax as such, but they have other small fixed 'fees' such as WA Industrial, and they want the family leave tax started in a year or so.

As a percentage, the property tax isn't that high when compared with Texas and other states.

People here have a habit of voting yes on any and all tax increases though. So the taxes will keep climbing, especially sales tax.

[mrman78]

Originally Posted by Ira500

It's true, no state income tax in WA. But high gas tax, high sales tax, high property tax.

Property tax there is way low compared to Texas, and definitely Houston!! It's funny because everyone thinks Houston is dirt cheap and all, but if you want to live in the city, it compares to Seattle or any other major city other than house prices being slightly cheaper in the city and much cheaper in the suburbs. Thing is, the property tax makes up a lot of that difference, especially in the city itself. Rent is definitely cheaper, but that is changing... Newer buildings have high rent per sq ft (like Seattle) and are not including things like water, sewer, etc (like Seattle) and some are even charging for parking now (like Seattle). There is no state income tax here also, gas prices aren't THAT much cheaper (maybe 40c lower, in which most of the savings are lost due to the constant running of A/C and the immense amount of driving that has to be done to get around) and sales tax is 8.25% which isn't much lower than Seattle's. Not to mention the increased energy costs due to the heat and humidity 8 months of the year, and cold (yes, it gets colder than Seattle here) the other 4 months. Harris County also has the highest insurance rates in the Country. Really, the cost of living expense most people associate with in Seattle is buying a house in the city or the suburbs... at least in Houston you can get a nice house for cheap if you want to live way out and commute, but who the hell wants to do that! That's why I'd rather live in Seattle and have the amazing scenery and priceless outdoor opportunities than live in a sprawling, flat, polluted, illegal immigrant infested city... I guess you guys just pay a slight premium for living in such a wonderful location. It's good for families here I suppose due to the cheaper cost of living in the suburbs, but for a single guy like me, I prefer Seattle! Sorry, got a bit carried away

[509]

As people noted property taxes are not that high, however, on a fixed income watching them go up and up year after year is troubling.

The real advantage to Washington's tax structure is that it is related to lifestyle. If you have a consumptive lifestyle complete with all the latest toys and games you will pay a lot in taxes.

If you have a simple lifestyle. Your tax bill will be very small.

Not sure why all the liberal environmentalists in this state want an income tax to replace the sales tax. The only thing the state needs to do now is put a carbon tax including jet travel and electricity generated from carbon sources, and use those funds to reduce the property tax.

[seahawksweetie]

don't give them any ideas.

And what is this family leave tax you talk about? I just moved here 8 months ago.

[MichaelinWA]

Washington's Family Leave Act will offer paid leave (5 weeks I think) beginning in late 2009. At the risk of being labeled a "liberal," I like the idea of guaranteed, paid leave for new moms, although $250 a week doesn't sound like much, given today's cost of living.

Regardless of one's opinion, it's the law, and the lawmakers will need to figure out how to pay for it - probably a payroll tax of some kind.

Another thread that's veered way off into other areas.

[bigtrees]

Originally Posted by jinj

As a percentage, the property tax isn't that high when compared with Texas and other states.

People here have a habit of voting yes on any and all tax increases though. So the taxes will keep climbing, especially sales tax.

It all depends....the property taxes on the place I'm staying at are $13,000 a year right now. I don't know how it compares to Texas but I think $1,000 a month for property taxes is huge!