“The church should continually exert a strong ethical influence upon the state, supporting policies and programs deemed to be just and opposing policies and programs that are unjust.”
United Methodist Social Principles, Paragraph 164.B
The Church & Society/Social Justice Committee, in keeping with the Methodist Church’s Social Principle quoted above, encourages you to make your voice heard about Washington State’s regressive tax system.
As described in an Oct. 18, 2018 KOMO News story (Link), “A new report has found that Washington state has the most regressive tax structure in the nation – with the poorest residents here paying nearly six times as much of their income in taxes as the wealthy…. The study, entitled “Who Pays?”, found that Washington’s lowest earners pay 17.8 percent of their income in state and local taxes, compared with 3 percent for the highest earners…Washington state’s tax inequality makes it No. 1 in the institute’s “Terrible Ten” – those states with most unfair tax structures. No. 2 is Texas, followed by Florida, South Dakota, Nevada, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Oklahoma and Wyoming.”
It is time to make a change – and you can be a part of the change.
The Washington Tax Structure Work Group (TSWG https://taxworkgroup.org/) wants to make taxes fairer, more stable, and transparent, and they want to hear from you.
To educate and hear from people in the community, the TSWG invites individual taxpayers and business owners to a virtual 90-minute interactive, listening, and sharing Tax Town Hall on Nov. 3. All taxpayers are welcome. You don’t need to be an accountant or tax expert to participate!
At the November 3 Tax Town Hall, you will learn about the current Washington State tax structure and TSWG goals. Then you will participate in interactive breakout sessions to explore and share your feedback about scenarios for changes to the state tax structure.
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 – choose one session to attend.
Afternoon session: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZctcuuupz0vG9cRprA6pDHQ-yAoH8pgCvzi
Evening Session: 6:30 – 8:00 p.m.
To register: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZUtcO-ppjorGNQtsux1vH3YiLGRGm9S-Yrg
If you are unable to attend or want to view the presentation slide show before the November 3 Tax Town Hall to become familiar with possible options for change.
Whether you attend a townhall or not, TSWG wants your input. They have created a survey that asks different questions depending on which tax plan you’d prefer. It is helpful to watch the slideshow before completing it but not necessary.
Background information about TSWG
In 2017, the Washington State Legislature established the TSWG to identify options to revise the Washington State tax system. The TSWG is comprised of bipartisan Washington State legislators, and representatives from the Governor’s Office, the Washington State Department of Revenue, the Washington State Association of Counties, and the Association of Washington Cities.
The TSWG has explored:
- Potential alternatives to sales and property taxes to reduce disproportionate impacts on low- and middle-income households.
- Potential alternatives to the business and occupation tax to reduce disproportionate impacts on small, start-up, and low-margin businesses.
- Methods of taxation that could help modernize the Washington State tax code to reflect the changing, 21st century economy.
Methods of taxation which would simplify state tax structure. With input from taxpayers and policymakers, the TSWG will develop alternatives to our current tax structure to better uphold the principles of equity, adequacy, stability, and transparency.