# WA Millionaires Tax Upheld in Vote

> Washington voters upheld a 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million, facing legal challenges to its constitutionality.
- Title: WA Millionaires Tax Upheld in Vote · Seattletimes | Shortify
- Summary: Washington voters upheld a 9.9% tax on incomes over $1 million, facing legal challenges to its constitutionality.
- Keywords: millionaires tax, income tax, constitution, state supreme court, tax policy, voters, wa state, tax revenue, budget gap, culliton vs chase, property tax, Seattletimes
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/seattle-news/politics/voters-upheld-was-millionaires-tax-will-courts-do-the-same
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: wa, millionaires tax, income tax, constitution, state supreme court, tax policy, voters, wa state, tax revenue, budget gap, culliton vs chase, property tax
## Voters approve WA millionaires tax
Washington voters upheld a 9.9% tax on household incomes above $1 million by wide margin.
## Legal battle over tax constitutionality
The tax faces a high-profile legal challenge claiming it violates the state constitution.
## Feb 5 court hearing
A Klickitat County Superior Court hearing is scheduled for February 5 to review the tax's constitutionality.
## Tax supporters' goals
Supporters hope the tax will be upheld by the state Supreme Court to close a state budget gap without cuts.
## Tax revenue projections
The tax could bring in over $3 billion annually from 25,000 households starting in 2029.
## Opponents' concerns
Opponents argue the tax could cause high earners to flee Washington for lower-tax states.
## Culliton vs. Chase ruling
The 1933 Culliton vs. Chase decision blocked income taxes in Washington for decades.
## Tax constitutionality arguments
Plaintiffs claim the tax violates constitutional property tax limits and is graduated.
## State defense strategy
The state attorney general's office defends the tax as constitutional and expects to win in court.
## Legal experts' view
Legal experts say the high court may revisit the 93-year-old Culliton ruling to resolve the tax debate.
## No in-between outcome
The court must decide whether income taxes are property or the tax is unconstitutional.
## Key takeaway

Washington voters approved a 9.9% tax on household incomes above $1 million, which now faces a constitutional challenge.