ESSB 6809

HOUSE BILL REPORT
ESSB 6809

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Passed House - Amended:
March 6, 2008

Title: An act relating to providing a tax exemption for working families measured by the federal earned income tax credit.

Brief Description: Providing a tax exemption for working families measured by the federal earned income tax credit.

Sponsors: By Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Pridemore, McAuliffe, Rockefeller, Eide, Oemig, Hatfield, Regala, Fraser, Brown, Fairley, Tom, Kilmer, Keiser, Franklin, Kauffman, Kline, Rasmussen, Spanel, Jacobsen and Kohl-Welles).

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 6 members: Representatives Hunter, Chair; Hasegawa, Vice Chair; Conway, Ericks, McIntire and Santos.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 3 members: Representatives Orcutt, Ranking Minority Member; Condotta, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Roach.

Background:

The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable tax credit available to eligible workers earning relatively low wages. Because the credit is refundable, an EITC recipient need not owe taxes to receive the benefits. The amount of the credit is determined by income and family size. Some states with an income tax provide a state EITC.

For purposes of the EITC, "earned income" includes wages, salaries, tips, and other taxable employee pay. The following types of income are not considered earned income: retired persons' disability benefits, pensions and annuities, social security, child support, welfare benefits, workers' compensation benefits, and veterans' benefits. The EITC cannot be claimed unless investment income is less than $2,900 for the 2007 tax year.

To qualify for the EITC in tax year 2007, earned income and adjusted gross income must each be less than:

The sales and use tax is imposed on the retail sales of most items of tangible personal property and some services. The use tax is imposed on the privilege of using tangible personal property or services in instances where the sales tax does not apply. Sales and use taxes are levied by the state and local governments. Total rates range from 7 percent to 8.9 percent.

Sales taxes are collected by the seller from the buyer at the time of sale. Use tax is remitted directly to the Department of Revenue (DOR). State sales and use tax revenues are deposited in the State General Fund.

Summary of Amended Bill:

A sales tax exemption in the form of a remittance is available to persons that have paid the Washington state and local sales and use tax, resided in Washington for more than 180 days, filed a federal income tax return as a Washington resident, received a federal EITC, and applied to the DOR for the remittance.

Sales tax remittances applied for in 2009 and 2010 are equal to 5 percent of the EITC for which data is available or $25, whichever is greater. Remittance applied for in 2011 and after is the greater of 10 percent of the EITC for which data is available or $50.

The DOR determines eligibility based on information provided by the applicant, and through audit, administrative records, and verification of Internal Revenue Service records. The DOR may use the best data available to process the remittance. The DOR may, in conjunction with other agencies or organizations, design a public information campaign to inform potentially eligible persons of the exemption. The DOR may contact persons who appear to be eligible.

The exemption will not begin until approved by the Legislature in the state Omnibus Appropriations Act. The Department of Revenue may only spent money on initial start-up costs of the exemption program until the state Omnibus Appropriations Act specifies funding for ongoing costs.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony:

(In support) None.

(Opposed) The state sales tax is regressive and unfair to the poor but this legislation does not address the problem. It creates a bureaucracy of 48 people and creates administrative costs equal to 5 percent of program costs. Other states have addressed this problem in a more efficient manner, for example, exemptions for children's clothing, or sales tax holidays for back-to-school shopping. There are many options available that do not require a massive bureaucracy. There is no correlation between the sales tax paid and the amount of the exemption received. If this is intended to be a stimulus package then we need to see proof that the program is effective as a stimulus. An Internal Revenue Service report shows that there is a substantial (27 percent to 31 percent) overpayment problem with the federal Earned Income Tax Credit. The administration of this new program will take resources away from the full implementation of the Streamline Sales Tax Project at the Department of Revenue.

Persons Testifying: Mary Jean Hrbacek; and Amber Carter, Association of Washington Business.