Initiative 645 Would Repeal Washington’s Millionaires Tax

Initiative 645 would repeal Washington’s tax on personal income above $1 million, approved by the state Legislature and scheduled to begin in 2028. The proposal has triggered extensive advertising statewide, including in Spokane County, where ballots start being mailed Thursday.

The debate includes how the measure treats pensions. The tax language removes a pension exemption, but it would affect pension recipients only when they also have other income that brings their yearly total above $1 million. Let’s Go Washington, which is leading the repeal effort, says lawmakers could later reduce that income threshold. Opponents argue the pension message misrepresents who would actually be affected and say people earning less than $80,000 per month would not face the tax.

Other campaign messages focus on state spending. Ads against repeal describe a possible $13 billion reduction and warn about healthcare for tens of thousands. Critics say that figure represents projected tax revenue that would not be collected if the measure passes, rather than money being removed from the current budget. Supporters of keeping the tax say it makes higher earners contribute their share, while repeal advocates worry the policy could eventually expand to cover more Washington residents.