2026 Washington Initiative 645
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November 3, 2026
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Repeal Tax on Household Income Over $1 Million and Prohibit State and Local Taxes on Income Initiative |
| Elections in Washington (state) |
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Initiative 645, the Repeal Tax on Household Income Over $1 Million and Prohibit State and Local Taxes on Income Initiative, is a direct initiated state statute that will appear on the November 3, 2026, ballot in the U.S. state of Washington. If approved by voters, the initiative would repeal the millionaires tax, a 9.9% tax on household income exceeding $1 million per year that was approved by the Washington state legislature in March 2026.
Background
[edit]Washington's millionaires tax imposes a flat 9.9% tax on taxable income exceeding $1 million per household, with married couple or domestic partnerships sharing a single $1 million standard deduction. The tax starts from federal adjusted gross income and is adjusted for various factors, including capital gains and charitable deductions.[1] The $1 million standard deduction is indexed for inflation beginning in 2030.
The tax applies to Washington residents, part-year residents, and nonresidents who derive Washington-source income, including wages for services performed in Washington, income from a Washington business or pass-through entity, and rents or gains from Washington real or tangible personal property.[1] Before the millionaires tax was passed, proponents estimated the tax would generate $3.5 billion or more per year once collections begin in 2029.[2] The tax directs the revenue to public defense, the state's Working Families Tax Credit, small business tax relief, and sales tax exemptions.[3][4]
Impact
[edit]If the initiative is approved by voters, the millionaires tax would be repealed and future taxes on income would be prohibited.[5] The initiative would also define income as "any gain or benefit measured in money derived from an individual's capital, labor, property, or other source."[5]
Endorsements
[edit]- U.S. representatives
- Jamie Herrera Beutler, former WA-03 (2011–2023) (Republican)[6]
- Political parties
- Organizations
- Statewide officials
- Bob Ferguson, governor of Washington (2025–present) (Democratic)[10]
- Organizations
- League of Women Voters of Washington[11]
- Northwest Progressive Institute[12]
- Sierra Club Washington State[13]
- Washington State PTA[14]
- Newspapers
Polling
[edit]| Poll source | Date(s)
administered |
Sample
size[a] |
Margin of error | Yes | No | Undecided |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DMH Research[16] | September 14–21, 2026 | 800 (A) | ± 3.5% | 35% | 57%[b] | 8% |
| 40% | 44% | 16% | ||||
| GBAO Strategies (D)[12][A] | June 7–11, 2026 | 1000 (LV) | ± 3.1% | 38% | 57% | 5% |
See also
[edit]Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 "Washington's Historic Millionaires' Tax Awaits Governor's Signature". BDO. March 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Washington House Passes 9.9% 'Millionaires Tax' as Business Leaders Warn of Seismic Shift". GeekWire. March 10, 2026. Archived from the original on March 12, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Washington's Proposed Millionaires' Tax: 2026 Update and Legal Analysis". NorthStar Law Group. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- ↑ "Millionaires Tax Passes the Senate". Washington Senate Democrats. February 16, 2026. Archived from the original on March 10, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
- 1 2 "Washington Repeal Tax on Household Income Over $1 Million and Prohibit State and Local Taxes on Income Initiative (2026)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ Griffin, Anna (27 September 2026). "Washington Taxed Its Millionaires. Now the Rich Want It Repealed". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "IP26-645, the initiative to 🛑REPEAL🛑the state income tax, is headed toward record-breaking territory". Facebook. Washington State Republican Party. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ https://ballotpedia.org/Washington_Initiative_645,_Repeal_Tax_on_Household_Income_Over_$1_Million_and_Prohibit_State_and_Local_Taxes_on_Income_Initiative_(2026)
- ↑ https://www.nfib.com/news/press-release/small-business-to-voters-yes-on-i-645-stop-the-income-tax/
- ↑ Goldstein-Street, Jake (14 July 2026). "Ferguson kicks off fight to defeat WA income tax repeal initiative". Washington State Standard. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "Vote NO on I-645 Millionaires Tax". League of Women Voters of Washington. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- 1 2 3 Villeneuve, Andrew (2 July 2026). "IP26-645 opposition coalition unveils new polling, legal research as Brian Heywood prepares to turn in signatures for tax repeal". NPI's Cascadia Advocate. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Endorsements". Sierra Club. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ Chiodo, Jane (27 August 2026). "FAQ: WSPTA'S OPPOSITION TO INITIATIVE IP26-645". WSPTA. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "Seattle Times recommends 'No' on I-645, 'millionaires tax' repeal". The Seattle Times. 6 September 2026. Retrieved 28 September 2026.
- ↑ "Does One Sentence in the Ballot Language Change Washingtonians' Views on the Income Tax Repeal?". DMH Research. September 28, 2026. Retrieved September 30, 2026.