Washington is one of just a handful of states that do not levy a state income tax. However the Washington Tax Structure Study Committee, convened by the legislature in 2001 to study the state’s tax structure and recommend changes, argues that the state would be better served with an income tax, enabling the state to reduce its heavy reliance on sales taxation and to eliminate the state property tax.

The Tax Study Committee’s recommendations have sparked heated debate. Proponents of an income tax claim the new tax would be less regressive than the existing system. Opponents say an income tax will drive up government spending and hurt our already struggling economy.

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