Taxes
Judge rules tax initiative violates constitution
SEATTLE -- A voter-approved initiative that requires a two-thirds majority of the Legislature to raise taxes or close tax loopholes violates the state constitution, a judge ruled Wednesday.
Date: 05/30/2012 | Northwest
Senators try to punish Facebook founder for dodging taxes
WASHINGTON -- Two senators on Thursday denounced Facebook Inc. co-founder Eduardo Saverin as a tax dodger for renouncing his U.S. citizenship ahead of the company's initial public offering and introduced legislation to punish him and others who leave the country to duck big tax bills.
Date: 05/17/2012 | Nation & World
County executive's plan to fill budget gap riles council
EVERETT -- Some Snohomish County Council members made their annoyance clear Monday as embattled County Executive Aaron Reardon's finance staff discussed a looming budget shortfall next year of at least $5.5...
Date: 05/15/2012 | Local News
Reardon takes his tax proposal to city officials
EVERETT -- A budget hole of about $5.5 million could force across-the-board cuts to Snohomish County government next year, County Executive Aaron Reardon told other county elected leaders, mayors and police chiefs Thursday.
Date: 05/11/2012 | Local News
Reardon to propose sales tax for criminal justice
EVERETT -- Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon has been making the rounds to warn elected leaders that police, prosecutors and other workers in criminal justice system could feel the brunt of looming budget cuts.
Date: 05/10/2012 | Local News
Owner of tobacco shop may sue over tax change
EVERETT -- Joe Baba doesn't know what his customers will do when the price surges for cigarettes they roll and purchase at his Everett Mall Way store.But the owner of Tobacco Joes knows how he's going to respond to the freshly minted state law forcing the hike: sue.
Date: 05/09/2012 | Local News
Understanding the whys, hows of an IRA
Do you feel like an IRA dummy?If so, you have company. About a third of Americans have an IRA, and confusion, rather than money, is often what stands in the way of getting started.
Date: 05/06/2012 | Business
Gregoire signs budget saying tax hike needed
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire signed what she hoped will be her last budget on Wednesday, breathed a sigh of relief then said her successor must come up with as much as $1 billion in new revenue for public schools.
Date: 05/03/2012 | Local News
Condo values drop in Snohomish County
Condominium values in Snohomish County dipped by 15 percent on average compared with a year ago, according to the latest notices from the county Assessor's Office.More than 20,600 notices are scheduled to hit the mail Monday.
Date: 04/28/2012 | Local News
Inslee: No new taxes needed to fund education
OLYMPIA -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Jay Inslee said Friday the state doesn’t need new taxes to fulfill its education funding obligations, even though Gov. Chris Gregoire says new revenue has to be considered.
Date: 04/20/2012 | Northwest
Buffett Rule might be fair, but it’s not the answer
The "Buffett rule" tax bill failed in the Senate by a vote of 51-45. Mark Twain once described composer Richard Wagner's music as "better than it sounds." The Buffett Rule legislation is just the opposite: It sounds better than it really is.
Date: 04/20/2012 | Business
Inbox: States ranked by biz taxes; asteroid-mining in Seattle
Noteworthy on the Web
Date: 04/19/2012 | Bizblog
Monroe hospital’s deal for partnership is off
MONROE -- Valley General Hospital, which thought it had found a business partner in Tennessee-based Capella Healthcare to help ease its financial woes, has announced that the deal is off.
Date: 04/18/2012 | Local News
Survey: Tax burden on small businesses grows
Taxes are a painful subject for small businesses. It's not just paying them that hurts — record-keeping, visiting accountants and preparing tax forms pose an administrative and financial burden for companies. And it's a burden that's growing.
Date: 04/18/2012 | Bizblog
Bothell annexation failing; levies passing in Stanwood, Lakewood
BOTHELL -- Most people on the outskirts of Bothell don't want to be annexed into the city.
Date: 04/17/2012 | Local News
Fire authority could affect taxes
A regional fire authority in south Snohomish County wouldn't just change the name of the fire trucks rolling up to an emergency.It would alter the way property taxes are drawn, and how cities budget for services.
Date: 04/17/2012 | Need to Know
Front Porch: USS Nimitz departs for training exercises
Nimitz takes cruiseThe aircraft carrier USS Nimitz on Monday pulled away from its pier in Everett. The warship is headed for a training run to San Diego and a stop in the San Francisco Bay area for the 75th anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Date: 04/17/2012 | Local News
IRS webinar: small-business contract workers
The Internal Revenue Service is holding on online seminar to help employers understand the tax issues about hiring independent contractors. Many small companies hire workers as contractors rather than employees because they can save money on benefits. But the government...
Date: 04/16/2012 | Bizblog
Obama tax return shows 2011 earnings of $789,674
WASHINGTON -- The White House says President Barack Obama and his family paid more than $160,000 in federal taxes last year.
Date: 04/13/2012 | Nation & World
South Whidbey fire district seeks levy increase
FREELAND -- South Whidbey Fire and EMS plans a community meeting on Thursday to discuss a possible levy lid increase.The fire district now draws 61 cents per $1,000 of property value, Fire Chief Rusty Palmer said.
Date: 04/11/2012 | Local News
IRS program offers struggling taxpayers six extra months to pay up
If you can't pay your federal income taxes by April 17, do you think you could six months from now?The question isn't flip.
Date: 04/08/2012 | Business
IRS chief warns of congressional inaction on taxes
WASHINGTON -- IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman warned Thursday of a disastrous tax filing season next year if Congress puts off dealing with tax cuts that are set to expire at the end of the year or have already expired.
Date: 04/06/2012 | Business
Haven't filed your taxes yet? Here are some quick tips
You still have time to get help figuring out and then filing your federal tax return.
Date: 04/05/2012 | Business
Taxes taxing you? United Way can help
Whoa, March is about gone. The tax deadline is about here. If a refund is coming, tax time means bill-paying or a spending spree.For Monroe's Juan Gutierrez, a tax refund meant savings.
Date: 03/30/2012 | Local News
House approves Republican deficit-cutting plan
WASHINGTON — Republicans pushed an election-year, $3.5 trillion budget through the House on Thursday that relies on biting spending cuts and a revamping of Medicare to curb massive federal deficits, drawing a sharp contrast with how President Barack Obama and Democrats would tackle the...
Date: 03/29/2012 | Nation & World
Gregoire seeks sales tax deduction extension
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire and six other governors have sent a letter to leadership in the U.S. House and Senate asking for an extension of the state and local sales tax deduction.
Date: 03/27/2012 | Northwest
IRS chief: Agency not targeting tea party groups
WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service is not making it harder for tea party groups to attain tax-exempt status because of their political views, the agency's chief told Congress on Thursday.
Date: 03/23/2012 | Business
Average IRS refund this year about $3,000
WASHINGTON -- That nice Internal Revenue Service refund check many families eagerly await this time of year is down slightly from 2011 but still not too shabby: an average of about $3,000.
Date: 03/23/2012 | Business
Analyst: Obama ups taxes for 1 in 4, mostly rich
WASHINGTON -- A nonpartisan research group estimates that President Barack Obama's budget would raise taxes next year on 1 in 4 households, but have little impact on families earning under $200,000 a year.The Tax Policy Center analysis also says about 1 in 8 households would get tax cuts.
Date: 03/23/2012 | Business
Jobless, others might be able to defer paying taxes
For the last several years, the Internal Revenue Service has offered some relief for people having problems paying their taxes.
Date: 03/22/2012 | Business
Is Sounder worth it?
A private analysis says it costs taxpayers $57 per rider
Date: 03/21/2012 | Local News
'Buffet rule' tax would bring in $31 billion in 11 years
WASHINGTON -- A bill designed to enact President Barack Obama's plan for a "Buffett rule" tax on the wealthy would rake in just $31 billion over the next 11 years, according to an estimate by Congress' official tax analysts obtained by The Associated Press.
Date: 03/20/2012 | Business
Some taxpayers try to push the limits of legitimate deductions
I have never been one to take risks on my taxes, but there are some folks who boldly go where most of us would never even try to go.
Date: 03/15/2012 | Business
Savings up in smoke?
Roll-your-own cigarette customers fight tax on pipe tobacco
Date: 03/12/2012 | Local News
Steps to take to avoid an audit
The Philadelphia InquirerCan you avoid an IRS audit by staying on the straight and narrow when preparing your tax return? There's no guarantee, but some forethought may help you avoid hassle later.
Date: 03/10/2012 | Business
King County court hears tax initiative lawsuit
SEATTLE -- A King County judge said Friday that he will need time to decide whether a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Initiative 1053, which requires a supermajority of the Legislature to raise taxes or close tax loopholes, should go forward.
Date: 03/09/2012 | Northwest
The silver lining of a job search? Tax deductions
Even though it comes at the same time every year, the mid-April tax deadline still creeps up on many Americans. Really, there's no need to procrastinate. Unless you have a complicated pile of paperwork on your hands, you can avoid last-minute anxiety by completing this task right away.
Date: 03/07/2012 | Business
Decoding those inscrutable fees on your phone bill
Take a close look at your phone bill and you'll find a list of taxes, fees and surcharges going by obscure and slightly mysterious names. Some of these items are government-mandated. Others are devised simply to enrich your provider. Here are some of the fees you might see (although the exact...
Date: 03/04/2012 | Business
IRS battling with tea party groups over tax-exempt status
Associated PressWASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service is embroiled in battles with tea party and other conservative groups who claim the government is purposely frustrating their attempts to gain tax-exempt status.
Date: 03/02/2012 | Business
Obama, Congress leaders considering cooperation on jobs
WASHINGTON -- After quarreling for months, President Barack Obama and the top two Republicans in Congress expressed optimism Wednesday about finding a common jobs and energy agenda, prodded by political reality to show results in an election year.
Date: 03/01/2012 | Nation & World
Proposed state budget avoids tax increases, school cuts, but still looking for votes
OLYMPIA -- Educators, prosecutors and providers of health and human services cheered Senate Democrats on Tuesday for their plan to rebalance the state budget without new cuts to schools, colleges and major social service programs.
Date: 02/28/2012 | Local News
Bothell still wants to grow
BOTHELL -- The city wants another shot this spring at annexing a large swath of unincorporated Snohomish County.
Date: 02/27/2012 | Local News
Watch for these tax scams as you prepare your return
Each year, the Internal Revenue Service puts out a list of the top 12 tax scams to avoid, as victim or perpetrator. This year’s list:
Date: 02/26/2012 | Business
Average property tax bill to drop by about $100
Homeowners in Snohomish County can expect property taxes to drop by about $100, on average, in 2012 compared to last year.
Date: 02/22/2012 | Local News
Budget plan erases budget deficit without tax increases
OLYMPIA -- House Democrats on Tuesday laid out a scheme for erasing the state's budget deficit without having to hike the sales tax.As a result, their plan may force cities and counties to do so.
Date: 02/22/2012 | Local News
Property tax statements mailed Friday
EVERETT -- Snohomish County Treasurer Kirke Sievers' office on Friday mailed statements for property taxes due this year.The information also can be viewed online at www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/Treasurer/.
Date: 02/18/2012 | Local News
It's time to cut our dependency on other people's money
President Barack Obama's budget is a good fit for the dysfunctional fiscal policy process. By most accounts it is a totally meaningless document, which even the U.S. Senate isn't likely to take seriously.
Date: 02/17/2012 | Business
Illinois considering new 'pole tax' for strip clubs
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- Illinois already charges so-called sin taxes on smokes, booze and casino gambling. Now state lawmakers are thinking about imposing a $5 skin tax to get into strip clubs.
Date: 02/17/2012 | Nation & World
Legislature’s budget deficit challenge drops to $1 billion from $1.5 billion
OLYMPIA -- Lawmakers received a dose of good news Thursday that should make it easier for them to erase the state budget deficit without a general tax increase and finish this year's Legislative session on time.
Date: 02/16/2012 | Local News
State budget problem won't be solved mathematically
A new forecast of state tax collections is coming out this morning.Once it arrives, lawmakers will have all the pieces in hand needed to assemble a balanced budget.
Date: 02/16/2012 | Local News
Senate bill gives counties 3-cents-a-gallon gas tax option
OLYMPIA -- Cities won't be allowed to collect a local gas tax but counties can still do so under a bill passed by the state Senate this week.
Date: 02/15/2012 | Local News
Tentative deal reached to extend payroll tax cut for rest of year
WASHINGTON -- House-Senate talks on renewing a payroll tax cut that delivers about $20 a week to the average worker yielded a tentative agreement Tuesday, with lawmakers hopeful of unveiling the pact Wednesday and sending the measure to President Barack Obama as early as this week.
Date: 02/14/2012 | Business
Tuesday deadline for property-tax election ballots
EVERETT -- Voters in the Arlington, Darrington, Edmonds, Granite Falls and Monroe school districts have a deadline Tuesday to return their ballots in property tax levy elections.
Date: 02/13/2012 | Local News
State Senate passes bill to rein in tax breaks
OLYMPIA -- The Washington state Senate has passed a bill to rein in future tax breaks granted by the Legislature.Approved by a 45-3 margin Saturday, the measure would put five-year sunsets on all new and extended tax breaks unless otherwise specified.
Date: 02/11/2012 | Northwest
Governor's plan to pay for roads, ferries finds little support in Legislature
OLYMPIA -- The wheels are coming off Gov. Chris Gregoire's $3.6 billion transportation plan, and there doesn't appear to be anything she can do to prevent it.
Date: 02/11/2012 | Local News
U.S. budget deficit drops to $27 billion in January
WASHINGTON — The federal budget deficit fell sharply in January compared to a year earlier, as an improving economy lifts income tax revenue.
Date: 02/10/2012 | Nation & World
How to avoid someone using your name for a tax rebate
I've set up the tax table. Every year, my husband and I pull out a white folding table to begin organizing our tax documents that will eventually be handed over to our tax preparer. We put it up early this year, instead of waiting until the end of March when we're scrambling madly. This time, we're...
Date: 02/09/2012 | Business
Arizona lawmakers back bill to require Amazon tax duty
PHOENIX -- Amazon.com says it would be illegal but Arizona legislators are moving ahead with a bill that would require the online retailer to collect sales tax on purchases by state residents.
Date: 02/09/2012 | Business
Republicans decry state budget delay
OLYMPIA -- Republican lawmakers on Wednesday decried what they say is slow action on progress to close a $1 billion budget gap.
Date: 02/06/2012 | Northwest
Lawmakers seek broad review of tax breaks
OLYMPIA -- A bipartisan pair of state lawmakers advocated Friday for a wide-ranging review of nearly $2 billion in annual tax breaks for Washington's businesses, nonprofits and local governments.
Date: 02/03/2012 | Northwest
Bills would give local governments more options to raise gas taxes for roads
OLYMPIA -- Cities and counties could soon be asking voters' permission to impose a gas tax to pay for paving roads and plugging potholes.
Date: 02/01/2012 | Local News
Website offers tax help for small businesses, self-employed
Small business owners and self-employed people seeking help with federal tax information should visit the IRS Small Business and Self-Employed Tax Center, now available online. You'll find answers to questions, tools and educational material.
Date: 01/31/2012 | Bizblog
Tax season has three extra days
Tax season is officially here, with the Internal Revenue Service now accepting electronically filed returns.
Date: 01/29/2012 | Business
Many federal employees delinquent on taxes
WASHINGTON -- A recent IRS report showing that current and retired federal employees owe more than $3.4 billion in income taxes is fueling a drive on Capitol Hill to fire and prohibit hiring the tax delinquents on Uncle Sam's payroll.
Date: 01/27/2012 | Nation & World
Ballot, tax levy information for Feb. 14 elections
EVERETT -- Voters in the Arlington, Darrington, Edmonds, Granite Falls and Monroe school districts should look for their ballots in the mail today or Saturday. These districts have property tax levy elections, with ballots due in the mail or in drop boxes by Feb. 14.
Date: 01/27/2012 | Local News
Everett mayor delivers a mixed report on the city’s economic outlook
EVERETT -- The economy is bleak and will remain so for the next three to four years -- but there are good things still happening in Everett.
Date: 01/25/2012 | Business
Critics blast governor’s transportation plan as tax increase
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire's $3.7 billion transportation package got a bumpy reception in initial public hearings Tuesday, criticized as taxing oil refiners and motorists too much while providing cities, counties, bus...
Date: 01/25/2012 | Local News
Six tax-preparation sites open Tuesday
Taxpayers have until April 17 to file federal income tax returns, but free help is available now at six Snohomish County locations.
Date: 01/24/2012 | Local News
Sites help students save money on their taxes
As the cost of higher education continues to rise, many college students can use all the financial breaks they can get.One source of assistance: the federal tax code, which has a tuition and fees deduction as well as tax credits for higher education.
Date: 01/22/2012 | Business
Stop this ride
Viewpoints: Capital gains tax can end revenue roller coaster
Date: 01/22/2012 | Commentary
30 chambers of commerce take their agenda to Olympia
The state's chambers of commerce, including Economic Alliance Snohomish County, issued a news release today urging state lawmakers in Olympia to raise taxes only after they "reduce spending to the greatest extent possible" and "focus on job creation, education and transportation."
Date: 01/19/2012 | Bizblog
It's time to gather tax info
There are tax breaks for college students, job hunters and victims of natural disasters. If much of it seems familiar, that's because it is.With all the talk about tax reform, there weren't many changes to tax law in 2011.
Date: 01/19/2012 | Business
Cities worried tax plan will cost them money
SEATTLE -- Washington's largest cities are unhappy with Gov. Chris Gregoire's proposal that would make Olympia the base of all business tax collections in the state, saying it will cost them money, in part, because state auditors won't be as aggressive in tracking down local cheats.
Date: 01/14/2012 | Northwest
Watchdog group says growing IRS workload is hurting taxpayers
WASHINGTON -- The Internal Revenue Service can't keep up with surging tax cheating and isn't sufficiently collecting revenue or helping confused taxpayers because Congress isn't giving it enough money to do its job, a government watchdog said Wednesday.
Date: 01/11/2012 | Business
Free simple tax prep available at Wal-Mart stores
Free preparation of simple tax forms will be available at more than 3,000 Wal-Mart Stores nationwide. The nation's largest retailer has contracted with the top two tax preparation companies, H&R Block Inc. and Jackson-Hewitt Tax Service Inc., to set up kiosks inside its stores where customers can...
Date: 01/10/2012 | Business
Governor proposes centralizing B&O tax collection, business licensing
The governor yesterday announced steps to streamline payment of state business-and-occupation (B&O) taxes and to obtain business licenses by centralizing the system at the state level. Today, local governments collect those taxes and issue licenses.
Date: 01/06/2012 | Bizblog
Lakewood, Stanwood-Camano school districts will have to wait for April 17 ballot for levies
EVERETT -- Voters in two school districts now will wait until April to cast ballots on property tax levies instead of in February as previously planned.
Date: 01/06/2012 | Local News
Gov. Gregoire to bypass AG, seek ruling on tax voting
OLYMPIA -- Gov. Chris Gregoire said Thursday she plans to bypass the state attorney general's office and seek court guidance on the constitutionality of a law limiting tax increases.
Date: 01/05/2012 | Northwest
Mitt Romney tax plan would mostly benefit the wealthy
WASHINGTON -- Mitt Romney's tax plan would cut taxes for fewer than half of U.S. households, with the wealthy getting most of the benefits, according to an independent analysis released Thursday.
Date: 01/05/2012 | Nation & World
IRS auditing 1 in 8 millionaires
WASHINGTON -- One in eight people earning at least $1 million annually was audited by the Internal Revenue Service last year, making them far likelier to be examined than those making below $200,000, according to IRS data released Thursday.
Date: 01/05/2012 | Business
Dread April 15? This year, taxes due 2 days later
WASHINGTON -- Does the mere mention of April 15 send chills up your spine? Not to worry -- the Internal Revenue Service has postponed this year's deadline for filing federal income taxes until two days later.
Date: 01/05/2012 | Business
Arlington School District to seek levy renewal on Feb. 14
ARLINGTON -- Arlington Public Schools is set to join five other school districts countywide in asking voters to approve property tax levies on the Feb. 14 ballot.
Date: 01/04/2012 | Local News
Five school districts in county seeking levy renewals in February
Five school districts in Snohomish County plan to ask voters to approve property tax levies on the Feb. 14 ballot.
Date: 01/03/2012 | Local News
Act now to ease your IRS tax burden
Time is running out on year-end tax planning.Acting now can reduce your tax bill for the year, which will pay dividends when you file taxes in the spring.Here are some recommendations on where to start.
Date: 12/29/2011 | Business
House Republicans cave in on short-term payroll tax cut (video)
WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Thursday caved to demands by President Barack Obama, congressional Democrats and fellow Republicans for a short-term renewal of payroll tax cuts for all workers. The breakthrough almost certainly spares workers an average $20 a week tax increase Jan.
Date: 12/22/2011 | Nation & World
Payroll tax increase generates GOP infighting
WASHINGTON _ The Senate is gone, the House is packing up, and for now that means working Americans will see their taxes rise in January.
Date: 12/21/2011 | Nation & World
President Obama blames GOP for upcoming tax increase
WASHINGTON — Continuing a tax cut of up to $40 a week for workers and unemployment benefits for millions of jobless hit a wall Tuesday as the House rejected a two-month extension of both, and President Barack Obama blamed Republicans for the stalemate.
Date: 12/20/2011 | Nation & World
Analysis: Democrats hope for campaign edge on tax issue
WASHINGTON -- Democrats feel they're closer than ever in their long-running bid to paint Republicans as being much more eager to cut taxes for the rich than for the working class.
Date: 12/20/2011 | Nation & World
House Republicans expected to reject Senate payroll tax-cut bill
WASHINGTON -- Rebellious House of Representatives Republicans fought hard Monday to scuttle a two-month extension of the Social Security payroll tax break, seriously jeopardizing chances that 160 million taxpayers will see the lower rate after Jan. 1.
Date: 12/19/2011 | Nation & World
Senate cuts payroll tax, OKs $1 trillion spending bill
WASHINGTON — The Senate voted Saturday to temporarily avert a Jan. 1 payroll tax increase and benefit cutoff for the long-time unemployed, forcing a reluctant President Barack Obama to make an election-year choice between unions and environmentalists over whether to build an oil pipeline...
Date: 12/18/2011 | Nation & World
Last minute moves can help you save on taxes for 2012
When it comes to that year-end, things-to-do list, who wants one more thing to do? But there are some last-minute financial moves that can save you a lot of money in 2012.
Date: 12/18/2011 | Business
Senate OKs $1 trillion budget bill, payroll tax cut (video)
WASHINGTON — The Senate passed legislation Saturday extending a Social Security payroll tax cut and jobless benefits for just two months, handing President Barack Obama a partial victory while setting the stage for another fight in February.
Date: 12/16/2011 | Nation & World
1 in 2 Americans are poor or low-income, census shows
WASHINGTON -- Squeezed by rising living costs, a record number of Americans -- nearly 1 in 2 -- have fallen into poverty or are scraping by on earnings that classify them as low income.
Date: 12/15/2011 | Nation & World
County Council overrides Reardon's veto, raises road tax
EVERETT -- The Snohomish County Council on Wednesday voted to override County Executive Aaron Reardon's veto of a property-tax increase in unincorporated areas to pay for road improvements.
Date: 12/14/2011 | Local News
Reardon vetoes a proposed tax hike to pay for roads in 2012 budget
EVERETT -- Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon on Friday vetoed part of the County Council's 2012 budget that would have brought a small tax hike in unincorporated areas to pay for roads.
Date: 12/13/2011 | Local News
Study: Gingrich tax plan would worsen deficit
WASHINGTON -- The tax plan by GOP presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich would provide big tax breaks to the rich and blow a huge hole in the federal budget deficit, according to an independent study released Monday.
Date: 12/12/2011 | Nation & World
A funding conundrum
More money, but less services for state's schools?
Date: 12/11/2011 | Local News
How tax credit for electric cars works
Many people are enticed by a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 for qualified plug-in electric drive vehicles, so we asked Internal Revenue Service tax expert Jesse Weller how this works.
Date: 12/11/2011 | Business
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