July 9, 2020

Seattle City Council Approves New Payroll Tax

The Seattle City Council passes Council Bill. No. 119810, known as Jump Start Seattle.

Seattle businesses may soon be subject to a new tax on payroll.  Earlier this week, the Seattle City Council passed Council Bill. No. 119810, known as Jump Start Seattle.  The measure, which was approved by a veto-proof majority, now awaits action from Mayor Durkan.  If enacted, the ordinance would impose a sliding rate tax on businesses with $7 million or more in annual payroll and would take effect January 1, 2021.  The tax applies only to positions earning more than $150,000 a year.

<Read more> for an overview of the ordinance’s key provisions.