RCW 82.70.020 Tax credit authorized. (Expires July 1, 2024.)

(1) Employers in this state who are taxable under chapter 82.04 or 82.16 RCW and provide financial incentives to their own or other employees for ride sharing, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting before January 1, 2024, are allowed a credit against taxes payable under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW for amounts paid to or on behalf of employees for ride sharing in vehicles carrying two or more persons, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting, not to exceed sixty dollars per employee per fiscal year.

(2) Property managers who are taxable under chapter 82.04 or 82.16 RCW and provide financial incentives to persons employed at a worksite in this state managed by the property manager for ride sharing, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting before January 1, 2024, are allowed a credit against taxes payable under chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW for amounts paid to or on behalf of these persons for ride sharing in vehicles carrying two or more persons, for using public transportation, for using car sharing, or for using nonmotorized commuting, not to exceed sixty dollars per person per fiscal year.

(3) The credit under this section is equal to the amount paid to or on behalf of each employee multiplied by fifty percent, but may not exceed sixty dollars per employee per fiscal year. No refunds may be granted for credits under this section.

(4) A person may not receive credit under this section for amounts paid to or on behalf of the same employee under both chapters 82.04 and 82.16 RCW.

(5) A person may not take a credit under this section for amounts claimed for credit by other persons.

[2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 § 413; 2015 1st sp.s. c 10 § 708; 2014 c 222 § 704; 2013 c 306 § 718; 2005 c 297 § 3; 2003 c 364 § 2.]

NOTES:

Effective date—2015 3rd sp.s. c 44: See note following RCW 46.68.395.

Tax preference performance statement—2015 3rd sp.s. c 44: "This section is the tax preference performance statement for the tax preference contained in RCW 82.70.020. This performance statement is only intended to be used for subsequent evaluation of the tax preference. It is not intended to create a private right of action by any party or be used to determine eligibility for preferential tax treatment.

(1) The legislature categorizes this tax preference as one intended to induce certain designated behavior by taxpayers as indicated in RCW 82.32.808(2)(a).

(2) It is the legislature's specific public policy objective to reduce traffic congestion, automobile-related air pollution and energy use through employer-based programs that encourage the use of alternatives to the single-occupant vehicle traveling during peak traffic periods for the commute trip. It is the legislature's intent to extend the commute trip reduction tax credit, which encourages employers to provide financial incentives to their employees for using ride sharing, public transportation, car sharing, or nonmotorized commuting. Pursuant to chapter 43.136 RCW, the joint legislative audit and review committee must review the commute trip reduction tax credit established under RCW 82.70.020 by December 1, 2024.

(3) If a review finds that the percentage of Washingtonians using commute alternatives is increasing, then the legislature intends for the legislative auditor to recommend extending the expiration date of the tax preferences.

(4) In order to obtain the data necessary to perform the review in subsection (3) of this section, the joint legislative audit and review committee should refer to the office of financial management's results Washington sustainable transportation performance metric or data used by the department of transportation's commute trip reduction program." [2015 3rd sp.s. c 44 § 419.]

Effective date—2015 1st sp.s. c 10: See note following RCW 43.19.642.

Effective date—2014 c 222: See note following RCW 47.28.030.

Effective date—2013 c 306: See note following RCW 47.64.170.

Effective date—2005 c 297: See note following RCW 82.70.025.

Effective date—Contingency—2003 c 364: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect on July 1, 2003, but only if Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2231 becomes law by July 1, 2003. If Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2231 does not become law by July 1, 2003, this act is null and void." [2003 c 364 § 13.] Engrossed Substitute House Bill No. 2231 was signed into law by the governor on May 19, 2003.

Captions not law—2003 c 364: "Captions used in this act are not part of the law." [2003 c 364 § 14.]