So, I was totally unaware of this until yesterday when I was talking to a couple shop owners and I thought they were joking with me, because they always try and pull my leg and ruffle my feathers.
Sales tax, at least in Snohomish County, is going from 8.9% to 9.5% April 1st. Yes, you would think it was an April Fool's joke, it is not. It's true. Most of it goes to cover mental health and chemical dependency programs, a minor percent goes to RTA. I'm not sure if this is going to affect King County as well, but I'm sure it will considering what the tax increases are going to.
As a small business owner and consumer I am shocked at this increase. Not only will our customers have to pay a higher tax rate, I will also have to do the same when I go to make my own purchases. We already pay a 1.5% B&O tax, which is on everything we sell but not passed on to the consumer.
Employment Security, L&I, Federal Income Tax, Social Security, Property tax, gas tax. Hmmm, am I forgetting anything? Taxes, taxes, taxes. I hear a rumor that they are also considering a State Income Tax, on top of State Sales Tax (like California does), but after all the taxes I pay, I don't have to worry about that one, thanks goodness.