Inside I-645: Washington Voters Have Rejected an Income Tax Before. What’s Different This Time?

Washington voters will decide Initiative 645 this fall—a measure to repeal the state’s new 9.9% income tax on earnings above $1 million, enacted by the Legislature through ESSB 6346 starting in 2028. A YES vote repeals the tax and bans future state and local income taxes; a NO vote keeps it. The measure would eliminate roughly $11.4 billion in projected revenue over five years designated for schools, healthcare, childcare, and other programs.