Brace Yourself: King County Tax Hike Shockers Ahead!

King County just made a bold move by passing a new criminal justice sales and use tax, which adds about 10 cents to every $100 you spend. While this might not sound like much, when you add it all up, it makes you wonder where all that change goes. The Council voted 8-1 in favor of this tax, largely aimed at addressing a staggering $180 million budget deficit brought on by some pretty harsh federal funding cuts. Who knew taxes could get so dramatic?

Council Member Girmay Zahilay defended the measure, saying the legislature didn’t give them many options to work with—just a single, shiny tax tool to avoid devastating cuts to public safety services like sheriff’s deputies and public defenders. And here we thought tax conversations couldn’t get more exhilarating! Meanwhile, the lone dissenter, Council Member Reagan Dunn, raised eyebrows with concerns about the county having taxed its residents more than 40% in the past decade. I guess he might be the perfect poster child for the phrase “when taxes rain, it pours!”

With this new tax going into effect on January 1, 2026, King County will proudly find itself among Washington State’s highest taxed counties. Will residents see this tax as a necessary evil to keep their neighborhoods safe, or is this just another reason to stock up on ramen noodles? What’s your take—are you on board with the new tax wave, or do you think it’s time to print some “STOP TAXATION” t-shirts?

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