Washington state sales tax deduction axed in Republican tax bill
The Republican tax bill introduced in Congress Thursday would end a state sales tax deduction taken by many thousands of Washington taxpayers on their federal returns.
Democrats from the state’s congressional delegation broadly objected to the proposal, including ending the sales tax deduction, while some Republicans said other deductions and tax credits would off-set the loss of the sales-tax write-off.
“This giveaway to the wealthy will hurt millions of Washington state families, and specifically, the Republican elimination of the sales tax deduction will mean billions of dollars will be lost from the pockets of Washington state workers in order to line the pockets of billionaires and big corporations,” U.S. Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement.
Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Spokane, called the tax proposal “must-pass legislation” that will benefit middle-class families. Her spokesman, Jared Powell, said deductions and loopholes need to be eliminated to create a fair and simple tax code.
https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/washington-state-sales-tax-deduction-axed-in-republican-tax-bill/