May 10th: Washington Tax Freedom Day

Washingtonians finally take money home as lawmakers consider new taxes

(OLYMPIA) – Washingtonians have worked more than one-third of the year (130 days) to pay their federal, state and local taxes, but they can finally start taking their money home after the work day ends tomorrow, states a report by the D.C.-based Tax Foundation.

As Washington workers celebrate their freedom from tax bills, many lawmakers claim the state needs to raise taxes to fund transportation projects.

130 days is the longest Washington taxpayers have ever had to work to shoulder their tax burden. Citizens in only four other states work longer: Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Maine. Nationally, Tax Freedom Day was celebrated a week ago on May 3rd.

Washington Tax Freedom Day comes later every year. In 1990, state taxpayers finished paying government bills on April 29th. Since then the number of days worked by Washingtonians has increased by an average of one per year.

The average Washington worker pays $12,401 (35.8% of her income) each year in taxes.

At a time when the average American works longer to pay for taxes (123 days) than food, shelter and clothing combined (106 days), many citizens want relief. After all, even Julius Caesar knew when to give a tax cut – he gave a rebate of one-third of the taxes collected in Asia one year during his reign.

"The tax burden borne by citizens is outrageously high," said Bob Williams, president of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation. "For 130 days of the year we’re indentured servants, not free and self-governing citizens. Lawmakers shouldn’t even consider raising taxes. It’s time to take President Reagan’s advice and starve the beast."

Williams says lawmakers should start by making sure citizens are free of taxes by the April 15th tax deadline.

Evergreen Freedom Foundation P.O. Box 552, Olympia, WA 98507 Phone: (360) 956-3482, Fax: (360) 352-1874 Email: effwa@effwa.org