Washington Initiative 645: Repeal the tax on income over $1 million; ban income taxes
What it does. In 2026 the Legislature passed Senate Bill 6346, which imposes a 9.9% tax on annual individual income over $1,000,000 beginning in 2028. Initiative 645 would repeal that tax and prohibit state and local governments from imposing taxes on individual income or the receipt of individual income, or taxes measured by an individual’s income. It would define income as “any gain or benefit measured in money derived from an individual’s capital, labor, property, or other source.” [1] [2]
Official ballot question. Initiative Measure No. IP26-645 concerns state and local taxes. This measure would repeal a 9.9% tax on annual individual income over $1,000,000; prohibit taxes measured by individual income and taxes on individual income or the receipt of individual income; and define “income.” Should this measure be enacted into law? [1] [2]
If you vote yes
A yes vote would repeal the 9.9% tax on annual individual income over $1,000,000 before it takes effect, and would prohibit state and local governments from taxing individual income. [1] [2]
If you vote no
A no vote would leave the 9.9% tax on annual individual income over $1,000,000 in place, and would not add the new prohibition on income taxes. [1] [2]
What it would cost
The Office of Financial Management’s fiscal impact statement estimates the initiative would reduce state revenue by $11,432,414,000 over state fiscal years 2027–2031, with the first impact in fiscal year 2029, and that it would not affect local revenue. It also estimates net state agency savings of $150,471,700 over the same period. It says impacts “that might occur due to actions of a future Legislature or those only expressed through legislative intent, are not included.” [2]
Both sides
Strongest case for
Let’s Go Washington, which leads the campaign, says the tax is “a legal test case designed to open the door to a broader statewide income tax.” Greg Lane of the Building Industry Association of Washington says an income tax would “drive down the state economy and add more cost burdens when we’re already the fourth highest cost of living state in the entire country.” [3]
State Sen. John Braun (R) says, “I think it’s important for the people to get their chance at direct democracy,” noting that “this is a state that has rejected the income tax 10 times at the ballot” and that voters are “anxious to get a chance to say no.” [3]
Brian Heywood of Let’s Go Washington says that if the thresholds change, taxpayers who miss a payment risk collection against them: “they can actually come in and seize your retirement assets to pay that tax lien.” Ballotpedia notes that the bill’s amendments to the state retirement system statutes made pension, disability and death benefits subject to the tax. [3]
Strongest case against
Larry Delaney, president of the Washington Education Association, says, “Initiative 645 will blow a $13 billion hole in our state’s budget, resulting in devastating cuts to education, health care, and human services.” Washington PTA cites the state’s own estimate of “an $11.4 billion revenue loss across fiscal years 2027–2031.” [3]
The No on 645 campaign says the law “was a package, with tax cuts for 99.5% of Washingtonians paid for by a tax on millionaires,” and spokesman Erik Houser says “it is highly likely that the tax cuts would have to be pulled back” if the revenue is lost. [3]
Washington PTA, which says it could not support the original bill, argues that repeal is a different question: the initiative “bans any tax measured by income, broadly defined, at the state level and in every county and city in Washington.” [3]
What neither side is saying
Context that bears on what this measure does or who it affects but that the arguments above do not address. These are sourced facts, not arguments for or against the measure.
- The tax has not started, and the promised uses are not binding. The fiscal impact statement says the 9.9 percent tax would otherwise go into effect on January 1, 2028, with first payments due in April 2029. It notes the Legislature “expressed an intent” to use the revenue for free school meals, childcare and early learning, and local governments, but that impacts expressed only through legislative intent are not included in its estimate. [2]
Editorial context, not the opinion of We Elect. Each point is a fact we found in a source we opened and read; where sources disagree or data are missing, we say so. How we choose these.
Follow the money
Contributions reported by committees registered to support or oppose Initiative 645. Major donors are those who gave $100,000 or more; where fewer than three did, up to five of the largest listed donors giving $5,000 or more are shown.
Supporting (Yes)
Total raised $11,948,201
Committees
- Let's Go Washington $8,258,316
- Vote Yes Repeal the Income Tax $3,689,885
At least one of these committees also campaigns on Washington Initiative 1, Washington Initiative 638, so its money cannot be split by measure.
Major donors
| Heywood Brian | $2,580,049 |
| Gordon Steve | $1,452,000 |
| Hughes Lawrence | $1,000,000 |
| Kemper Holdings LLC | $505,000 |
| Kelley DevCom LLC | $450,000 |
| Crow Robert | $345,000 |
| Washington Rising Inc | $300,000 |
| Madrona Venture Group, LLC | $250,000 |
| Hughes Lawrence | $250,000 |
| Emerald Pacific Properties LLC | $250,000 |
A name listed twice was filed under two different addresses, so the entries are not combined.
Opposing (No)
Total raised $13,743,002
Committees
- No on 645 $13,118,972
- Defend Washington $578,791
- Millionaire's Tax Washington $243,799
- Permanent Defense PAC (Wrong for Washington) $8,440
The total leaves out $207,000 No on 645 gave to Defend Washington, so that money is not counted twice.
At least one of these committees also campaigns on Washington Initiative 1, Washington Initiative 638, so its money cannot be split by measure.
Major donors
| Washington Education Association | $3,215,887 |
| Washington Federation of State Employees | $2,526,817 |
| SEIU 775 Ballot Fund | $1,550,000 |
| SEIU Initiative Fund | $1,100,000 |
| National Education Association | $1,000,000 |
| SEIU Healthcare 1199NW | $750,000 |
| American Federation of State, County, Municipal Employees | $500,000 |
| Service Employees International Union Local 925 | $330,000 |
| Invest in Washington Now | $277,006 |
| David Habib | $250,000 |
Reported contributions through Oct. 30, 2026, from itemized contributions filed with the Washington Public Disclosure Commission. Itemized contributions reported to each committee for the 2025 and 2026 election years. Each donor’s amount adds up their reported contributions to the committees above; names appear as filed. Figures may be updated as new reports are filed. Amounts are rounded to the nearest dollar. Official filings: Washington Public Disclosure Commission.
Sources
- Ballot title and ballot measure summary, Initiative IP26-645 — Washington Attorney General’s Office (Official ballot title, 2026-05-04)
- Fiscal Impact Statement for Initiative 645 — Washington Office of Financial Management (Official fiscal analysis, 2026)
- Washington Initiative 645, Repeal Tax on Household Income Over $1 Million and Prohibit State and Local Taxes on Income Initiative (2026) — Ballotpedia (Reference (quotes supporters and opponents), accessed 2026-10-28)
Editorial summary of arguments made by others, not the opinion of We Elect. Last reviewed 2026-10-28. How we write both sides.
We Elect is a Brunner Creative site. Editorial summary of arguments made by others, not the opinion of We Elect. Each side is written to be the strongest case its supporters would recognize, and every claim is tied to a source we opened and read.