{"id":2330679,"date":"2024-08-25T15:06:56","date_gmt":"2024-08-25T19:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/seattle-tacoma-have-nations-highest-combined-sales-tax-among-major-cities-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-25T15:14:04","modified_gmt":"2024-08-25T19:14:04","slug":"seattle-tacoma-have-nations-highest-combined-sales-tax-among-major-cities-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/seattle-tacoma-have-nations-highest-combined-sales-tax-among-major-cities-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"Seattle, Tacoma have nation\u2019s highest combined sales tax among major cities &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fseattle-tacoma-have-nations-highest-combined-sales-tax-among-major-cities-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2330679&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>Seattle and Tacoma have \u200bbeen reported as having the highest\u2062 combined state and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/leftist-chicago-mayoral-candidate-defeats-moderate-rival-will-succeed-lori-lightfoot\/\" title=\"Leftist Chicago Mayoral Candidate Defeats Moderate Rival, Will Succeed Lori Lightfoot\">local <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/louisiana-teacher-quits-amid-allegation-of-giving-birth-to-a-students-child\/\" title=\"Louisiana teacher resigns over alleged student pregnancy.\">sales tax rates<\/a><\/a> among major U.S. cities,\u200b according \u200dto a recent study by the Tax Foundation. The \u200breport, titled \u200d&#8221;Sales Tax Rates in Major Cities, \u2062Midyear 2024,&#8221; highlights that \u200dSeattle\u200b has a total sales tax rate of 10.35%, with\u200d a state\u2064 sales tax of 6.5% and a local tax of 3.85%. Tacoma\u2064 closely follows with a rate of 10.3%.<\/p>\n<p>The report indicates \u2063that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/young-people-should-get-involved-in-politics-cant-wait-in-line-rep-cawthorn\/\" title=\"Young People Should Get Involved in Politics, Can\u2019t \u2018Wait in Line:\u2019 Rep. Cawthorn\">high tax rates<\/a> can lead\u200c consumers to shop in areas with lower taxes, such as Oregon, which does not impose retail sales taxes. This trend is\u200c common \u2062among Washington\u2062 residents seeking to save on purchases like appliances\u200d and electronics. The increase in Seattle\u2019s tax rate occurred after King \u2064County \u200dimposed\u2064 an additional tax \u2064to fund nonprofit cultural programs. Tax experts note that the discrepancy in sales tax rates between jurisdictions can drive\u2062 consumers to seek lower tax areas for major \u2063purchases.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Seattle, Tacoma have nation&rsquo;s highest combined sales tax among major cities<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1736997\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; Seattle and Tacoma took the top two spots in the Tax Foundation&rsquo;s latest publication on the highest combined state and local sales tax rates among major U.S. cities.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>Earlier this week, the Washington, D.C.-based think tank released its &ldquo;Sales Tax Rates in Major Cities, Midyear 2024&rdquo; report, which calculates &ldquo;average combined state and local sales tax rates by state, using zip code-level sales tax and population data.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Tax Foundation defines major U.S. cities as &ldquo;Census-designated incorporated places with populations over 200,000.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Sales tax avoidance is most likely to occur in areas where there is a significant difference between two jurisdictions&rsquo; sales tax rates,&rdquo; Tax Foundation Vice President of State Projects Jared Walczak said in a news release. &ldquo;Leading research indicates that consumers can and do leave high-tax areas to make major purchases in low-tax areas.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>It&rsquo;s commonplace for Washington residents to shop in Oregon, which does not have retail sales taxes. Groceries, alcohol, clothing and other items tend to be cheaper on the Oregon side of the border. Due to the sales tax difference, Washingtonians can save even more on items such as appliances, furniture and electronics.<\/p>\n<p>Seattle in King County and Tacoma in Pierce County figure prominently early on in the report.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Among major cities, Seattle, Washington, claims the dubious distinction of imposing the highest combined state and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/lori-lightfoot-blames-racism-right-wing-forces-for-devastating-loss-in-chicago-i-leave-my-office-with-my-head-held-high\/\" title=\"Lightfoot blames racism and right-wing forces for Chicago loss, leaves office with head held high.\">local sales tax rate<\/a>, at 10.35 percent,&rdquo; the report states.<\/p>\n<p>Washington state has a sales tax of 6.5%, and the Emerald City imposes a 3.85% sales tax, for an overall 10.35% rate.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The city eclipsed Tacoma, Washington, at 10.3 percent, in April, when King County (in which Seattle is situated) adopted a 0.1 percent additional sales tax to generate additional funding for nonprofits providing cultural programming,&rdquo; the report goes on to note. &ldquo;Tacoma&rsquo;s current rate dates to 2021.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>The Center Square reached out to Mark Harmsworth, director of the Center for Small Business at the Washington Policy Center think tank, for his thoughts on two Washington cities topping the list of major cities with the highest combined state and local sales tax rates.<\/p>\n<p>Taxpayers in some smaller cities get hit even harder, he pointed out.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Ironically, the highest sales tax rate [in the state] is shared with my own city, Mill Creek, and Lynnwood &ndash; 10.6%,&rdquo; Harmsworth noted in an email to The Center Square. &ldquo;High sales tax rates certainly create a problem not just for retailers, but for service providers, who are subject to the same rate providing services, even remotely in some cases. A high rate drives businesses to locate in other locations.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Mill Creek is a city of nearly 21,000 people approximately 20 miles northeast of Seattle. Lynwood, with a population of more than 43,000, is part of the Seattle metropolitan and is located 16 miles north of Seattle. Both cities are located in Snohomish County.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;I would predict the rates in Washington would be much higher if it wasn&rsquo;t for the restrictions on the amount municipalities can raise taxes described in state law (RCW 35.102),&rdquo; Harmsworth concluded.<\/p>\n<p>Chicago, Ill., and three cities in California &ndash; Long Beach, Fremont and Oakland &ndash; tied for the third-highest combined state and major city sales tax rates at 10.25%.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1736997\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1736997\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Seattle and Tacoma have the highest combined sales tax rates among major U.S. cities, according to a recent report from the Tax Foundation. The Washington, D.C.-based organization published its &#8220;Sales Tax Rates in Major Cities, Midyear 2024&#8221; report, which analyzes average combined state and local sales tax rates using detailed zip code-level data. The Tax Foundation defines major cities as those with populations exceeding 200,000.<\/p>\n<p>Jared Walczak, Vice President of State Projects at the Tax Foundation, noted that consumers often avoid high-tax areas for significant purchases by shopping in regions with lower taxes. This trend is evident in Washington residents frequently traveling to Oregon for shopping since Oregon has no retail sales tax. Items like groceries and clothing are generally cheaper across the border due to this difference.<\/p>\n<p>The report highlights Seattle&#8217;s combined state and local sales tax rate at 10.35%, making it the highest among major cities; Tacoma follows closely with a rate of 10.3%. Seattle&#8217;s rate increased after King County implemented an additional 0.1% sales tax for funding cultural programs earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p>Mark Harmsworth from the Washington Policy Center pointed out that some smaller cities face even higher rates; Mill Creek and Lynnwood share a top state rate of 10.6%. He emphasized that high sales taxes can negatively impact both retailers and service providers by driving businesses away.<\/p>\n<p>Harmsworth also speculated that if not for legal restrictions on municipal tax increases (RCW 35.102), Washington&#8217;s rates could be significantly higher than they currently are. Chicago and three California cities\u2014Long Beach, Fremont, and Oakland\u2014are tied for third place with a combined rate of 10.25%<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2330680,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/minimum-wage-and-money.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[39232,37750,7035,39231,32076],"class_list":["post-2330679","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","tag-major-cities","tag-sales-tax","tag-seattle","tag-tacoma","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/minimum-wage-and-money.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2330679","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2330679"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2330679\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2330680"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2330679"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2330679"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2330679"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}