What is your experience with lack of State Income Tax in the State of Washington? (sales tax, budget)

[PS90]

Originally Posted by sean98125

It's so unfriendly that the population is expected to double in the next 20 years.

Is this a serious comment? How do demographic predictions have anything to do with the state of the state government? I would like you to explain how you got from A to B on that one.

Anyhow, do you have a citation for that statistic?

Not that this has to do with anything, but here's WSDOT's projected population - and it's not even close to yours. If anything, the rate of population growth is predicted to slow down by a fair amount:

WSDOT - Population Growth

[sequoias]

For me, no income tax in Washington state...less headaches. All I have to do is fill out forms for the Federal income tax. I don't really care much about state income because you sometimes get pretty small tax refund, not really worth my time.

[sequoias]

Originally Posted by PS90

Is this a serious comment? How do demographic predictions have anything to do with the state of the state government? I would like you to explain how you got from A to B on that one.

Anyhow, do you have a citation for that statistic?

Not that this has to do with anything, but here's WSDOT's projected population - and it's not even close to yours. If anything, the rate of population growth is predicted to slow down by a fair amount:

WSDOT - Population Growth

That data stats is old. They projected it from 2004, not 2013. They said 299 million in 2010 but actual count was around 308 million. Washington state projected population was a little less than what they expected in 2010 census.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by sequoias

That data stats is old. They projected it from 2004, not 2013. They said 299 million in 2010 but actual count was around 308 million. Washington state projected population was a little less than what they expected in 2010 census.

Umm, what's your point? That comment is irrelevant unless you can find an updated citation that confirms the mythical population doubling in 20 years.

[sequoias]

Originally Posted by PS90

Umm, what's your point? That comment is irrelevant unless you can find an updated citation that confirms the mythical population doubling in 20 years.

Well, you posted out of date data, so go fix it before someone sees it. :-)

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by hamellr

While high, the largest number I could find was 18% and that is not even from a reliable source. The next highest number was 16% from government sources and dated to 2010.

Your numbers come from a lawyer advertisment. Mine come from my WA insurance agent who is on WA Insurance board for Automotive.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by sequoias

Well, you posted out of date data, so go fix it before someone sees it. :-)

The data is not out-of-date until the data/predictions are updated by a reputable source. That's the most recent I was able to find.

Admittedly, I didn't look very hard, but it didn't take long to find something that disputes the claim that our state's population will double in 20 years.

[lady fern]

Originally Posted by JJH2011

I understand that the effect of state income tax or no state income tax will vary from person to person, but can you share your experience with having no State Income tax burden in the state of Washington? Does it help you financially or is it pretty much a wash with states having State Income Tax?

(I also understand that the states no levying income tax tends to have high real estate property taxes, but I am in Maryland which is about the same as the New Jersey, known for abusive property taxes, and both Maryland and New Jersey have state income taxes.

In the case with State of Washington, the sales tax rate seems to be on high end after the additional municipal sales tax rate...)

I think that you will find Washington's property taxes considerably less than New Jersey, especially if you steer away from the Seattle area. The sales tax varies by county and municipality. I believe mine in Olympia was 8.9%. Unprepared food, with the exception of soda and candy, is not taxed. Liquor has a hefty tax making up for revenue lost when the state run liquor stores were ousted. I did find after the recession hit that the state got more crafty on drumming up revenue through various fees that previous did not exist. I've not spent any time in Maryland, but I have family in NJ. You will find that WA in no way compares to all of the taxes and fees that NJ imposes.

[hamellr]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Your numbers come from a lawyer advertisment. Mine come from my WA insurance agent who is on WA Insurance board for Automotive.

As stated, those were the HIGHEST numbers I found. I found plenty of other numbers from official sources dating back to 2005. Not a single one came close to your 40% number.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by hamellr

As stated, those were the HIGHEST numbers I found. I found plenty of other numbers from official sources dating back to 2005. Not a single one came close to your 40% number.

and remember... there is no proof of insurance required to license a vehicle in WA (unlike the beaver state). Most illegals and those driving w/o a license (lost due to DUI) are not gonna be eligible or have insurance, and are only required to show proof if the are STOPPED and asked (who in that case would plan on STOPPING! and not fleeing). I have pulled 3 out of my ditch this yr that were unlicensed / uninsured / and had fled the scene. One guy walked home and drug his wife back to the scene by her hair at 3AM to take the ticket as 'driver'. The Sheriff would not believe me either, that the tender (crying) wife had not been driving 80mph in a 35 and did 200' airborne and a 360 before crashing though the trees in the 1T work truck with beer bottles strewn throughout. She has (had) a sweet WRx.

YMMV. I see (meet them on the road and in the ditches) everyday.