Washington State Lawmakers Approve New Millionaire Income Tax

The state Senate voted to impose a 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million, despite a constitutional ban on income taxes.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The Washington state Senate has voted 27-22 to approve a new 9.9% tax on household income above $1 million per year, despite the state constitution explicitly prohibiting income taxes. Three Democrats joined all 19 Republicans in opposing the measure, which now heads to the state House.

Why it matters

Washington is one of only a few states without a personal income tax, and the state constitution has banned such taxes for nearly a century. The new proposal sets up a potential legal showdown over whether the legislature can enact an income tax in defiance of the constitution.

The details

The proposed tax would apply a 9.9% rate on household income above $1 million per year. Supporters argue the tax is needed to fund education and other priorities, but critics say it violates the state's constitution, which specifies that 'all taxes shall be uniform upon the same class of property' and defines 'property' to include 'everything, whether tangible or intangible, subject to ownership'.

  • The Washington state Senate voted on the income tax proposal on Monday, February 19, 2026.
  • The measure now heads to the state House for consideration.

The players

Washington State Senate

The upper chamber of the Washington state legislature, which voted 27-22 to approve the new income tax.

Washington State Constitution

The state constitution that has banned income taxes for nearly a century, defining 'property' to include 'everything, whether tangible or intangible, subject to ownership'.

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What’s next

The income tax proposal will now move to the Washington state House for consideration. If approved by the House, it would then head to the state's Supreme Court, which would likely have to rule on the measure's constitutionality.

The takeaway

This vote sets up a potential legal showdown in Washington over the state's longstanding constitutional ban on income taxes. The outcome could have significant implications for the state's tax policy and budget priorities going forward.