DOR Newsroom

Contractor pleads guilty to felony theft of sales tax, workers' comp fraud

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:33:31 -0900

Everett, Wash., Oct. 29, 2009 — The owner of Master’s Touch Drywall pled guilty today to felony theft of sales tax and workers’ compensation fraud, and agreed to pay more than $2.1 million in restitution.

Washington Ranks 26th Highest in State and Local Taxes; 32nd Highest in Property Taxes

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:10:27 -0900

Olympia, Wash., Oct. 22, 2009 — Washington ranks 26th highest nationally in state and local taxes as a percentage of personal income, and 32nd highest in property taxes, according to newly released federal data covering Fiscal Year 2007.

Taxable Retail Sales Decline 14 Percent during Second Quarter 2009

Fri, 9 Oct 2009 16:18:09 -0900

OLYMPIA – Oct. 9, 2009 – Taxable retail sales declined 14 percent to $25 billion during the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period in 2008, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Major change coming to buying goods and services for resale

Mon, 5 Oct 2009 15:46:18 -0900

Olympia, Wash., Oct. 5, 2009 — Washington state laws governing how businesses purchase goods and services for resale are changing in a big way next year.

Three Million State Residents May Have Unclaimed Property

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 19:08:01 -0900

Olympia, Wash., Oct. 2, 2009 — Three million current or former Washington residents have a stake in $700 million in unclaimed property being held by the Washington State Department of Revenue. You may be one of them.

Property Tax Revenues Increase 5.4 Percent in 2009

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:30:44 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 21, 2009 — Property tax revenue increased 5.4 percent to $8.6 billion in 2009, with nearly 70 percent of the increase stemming from new construction added to the tax rolls and higher voter-approved levies, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Farmers will have two ways to buy agricultural materials tax-free

Wed, 9 Sep 2009 22:50:13 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 8, 2009 — Washington farmers will have two ways to continue buying certain agricultural materials tax-free after a new reseller permit system takes effect Jan. 1, 2010.

Revenue to Issue Reseller Permits to Qualified Businesses in September

Wed, 2 Sep 2009 06:10:53 -0900

Olympia, Wash., Sept. 1, 2009 — The Department of Revenue will begin issuing reseller permits to businesses this month to stem the loss of an estimated $100 million annually in unpaid state and local sales tax.

Local Revitalization Financing Project Application Now Online

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 02:28:42 -0900

Olympia, Wash., Aug. 18, 2009 — The Department of Revenue today activated an online application that cities and counties must use to apply, on a first-come, first-served basis, for $2.5 million in state money to help finance Local Revitalization Financing (LRF) projects.

Marysville Drywaller Charged with Tax Fraud

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 09:57:31 -0900

Everett, Wash., Aug. 17, 2009 — The owner of Marysville-based Master’s Touch Drywall was charged today with stealing nearly all the sales tax he collected on jobs between 2003 and 2008.

Woman Charged with Impersonating Revenue Agent

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:10:56 -0900

Everett, Wash., Aug. 12, 2009 — The Snohomish County prosecutor, in cooperation with the Edmonds and Marysville police departments and Department of Revenue, charged Karen Cunningham, 45, with impersonating a public servant in order to solicit cash payments from businesses in Edmonds and Marysville.

Monthly Filers Must File and Pay Taxes Electronically

Sat, 8 Aug 2009 14:13:10 -0900

Taxable Retail Sales Decline 12.8 Percent During First Quarter 2009

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 18:25:44 -0900

Olympia, Wash., July 15, 2009 — Taxable retail sales declined 12.8 percent to $23.2 billion during the first quarter of 2009 compared to the first quarter of 2008, the Department of Revenue reported today.

Digital Product Draft Rule Available Online Today

Sat, 11 Jul 2009 20:53:55 -0900

Olympia, Wash., July 10, 2009 A preliminary draft rule affecting the taxation of digital products is now available on the Department of Revenue’s web site in advance of two stakeholder meetings scheduled for July 14 and 15.

Local Revitalization Financing Project Application Now Available

Fri, 3 Jul 2009 20:53:55 -0900

Olympia, Wash., July 2, 2009 — Application forms are now available for seven Local Revitalization Financing demonstration projects authorized by the Legislature.

Cigarette Compact Negotiated with Colville Tribe

Thu, 2 Jul 2009 16:44:31 -0900

Olympia, Wash., July 1, 2009 — The State of Washington and the Colville Confederated Tribes have entered into an agreement in which the Tribe will impose its own cigarette tax in lieu of state and local taxes.

Property Tax Deferral Program Available for Fall Taxes

Wed, 10 Jun 2009 19:55:35 -0900

Help for homeowners affected by economic downturn

Olympia, Wash., June 9, 2009 — Homeowners on limited incomes can apply to defer paying their second half property taxes due Oct. 31.

Department of Revenue Director Elected President of National Tax Organization

Sun, 7 Jun 2009 02:36:07 -0900

Olympia, Wash., June 5, 2009 — Department of Revenue Director Cindi Holmstrom was elected president of the Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) at its annual meeting in Denver this week.

Tremaine Smith receives national medal for leadership in interstate tax cooperation

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 21:58:37 -0900

Washington, D.C., June 1, 2009 — Two national tax administration organizations today named Tremaine Smith the recipient of a national medal for his leadership in improving tax administration through interstate cooperation.

Summary of 2009 Tax Legislation Now Available

Thu, 4 Jun 2009 04:33:15 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., June 2, 2009 — The Department of Revenue has posted online a summary of tax-related legislation enacted during the 2009 legislative session.

Plumbing Contractor Pleads Guilty to Stealing Sales Tax, Operating Business After License Revoked

Sat, 30 May 2009 07:16:36 -0900

Tacoma, Wash., May 28, 2009 — A Tacoma plumbing contractor plead guilty today to stealing sales tax he collected from customers and continuing to operate a business after his license was revoked.

Replacing Resale Certificates with Sellers’ Permits to Curb Abuse, Generate More Than $100 Million Annually

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:09:41 -0900

Olympia, Wash., May 19, 2009 — Governor Chris Gregoire today signed legislation to curtail abuse of resale certificates that costs state and local governments more than $100 million annually in unpaid sales tax revenue.

New Law Clarifies Taxation of Digital Products

Thu, 21 May 2009 13:50:50 -0900

Olympia, Wash., May 19, 2009 —Taxation of digital products, ranging from streaming video to online newsletters, is being clarified under a new law taking effect July 26.

Hybrid Vehicle Sales Tax Exemption Ends Aug. 1

Thu, 21 May 2009 10:29:39 -0900

Olympia, Wash., May 18, 2009 — the sales tax exemption for certain hybrid vehicles ends Aug. 1.

Tremaine Smith receives national medal for leadership in interstate tax cooperation

Sun, 17 May 2009 15:44:52 -0900

Washington, D.C., May 15, 2009 — The Department of Revenue’s Tremaine Smith has earned a national medal recognizing his leadership in improving tax administration through interstate cooperation.

Taxable Retail Sales Decline 4.3 Percent in Calendar Year 2008

Thu, 14 May 2009 22:01:01 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., May 12, 2009 — Taxable retail sales declined 4.3 percent to $113.2 billion during calendar year 2008, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Taxable Retail Sales Decline 10.8 Percent in Fourth Quarter 2008

Sat, 11 Apr 2009 21:02:40 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., April 8, 2009 — Taxable retail sales declined 10.8 percent to $27.7 billion during the fourth quarter of 2008, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Unclaimed Property Tops $600 Million, 3 Million Names

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 21:27:45 -0900

Olympia, Wash., April 7, 2009 — If you had a $100 rebate check, wouldn’t you cash it? If your employer owed you $200 in travel expenses, wouldn’t you claim it? Sure you would.

Washington State Department of Revenue Wins Two National Awards

Thu, 9 Apr 2009 21:15:01 -0900

Washington, D. C., April 6, 2009 -- The Washington State Department of Revenue won both of the 2009 national awards announced by the Federation of Tax Administrators today, one for its efforts to help taxpayers adjust to a major change to sales tax laws and another for innovative ethics training of its employees.

Telephone Scammers Target State Businesses

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 05:27:20 -0900

Olympia, Wash., March 20, 2009 — Scammers posing as Washington Department of Revenue employees are calling Washington businesses directing them to a bogus international phone number and charging them for the call, the Department warned today.

Sound Transit 0.5% Sales Tax Increase Takes Effect April 1

Mon, 16 Mar 2009 00:57:17 -0900

Seattle, Wash., March 13, 2009 — The Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit) sales tax will increase five-tenths of one percent to a total of nine-tenths of one percent on April 1.

Plumbing Contractor Charged with Felony Theft of Sales Tax, Operating a Business After License Revoked

Sat, 14 Mar 2009 03:34:18 -0900

Tacoma, Wash., March 10, 2009 — A Tacoma plumbing contractor has been charged with theft of sales tax and continuing to operate a business after his license was revoked in 2006 for non-payment of taxes.

Yacht Broker Sentenced to Four Years for Felony Theft of Sales Tax

Sun, 8 Mar 2009 06:55:31 -0900

EVERETT, Wash., March 5, 2009 — Everett yacht broker Ronald J. Sperry was sentenced to four years in prison this week after admitting he failed to remit sales tax he collected on boat sales and underreporting his commissions to lower his state business and occupation tax.

Suspectfraud.com Helps Consumers "Check with the State before It's Too Late"

Sun, 1 Mar 2009 05:11:18 -0900

OLYMPIA, Feb. 26, 2009 -- The economic slowdown may be pinching pocketbooks, but that hasn’t stopped fly-by-night roofers, unlicensed movers and fake mortgage brokers from continuing to gouge unsuspecting customers while undercutting legitimate businesses.

Property Tax Relief Available To Snow, Flood Victims

Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:54:47 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 21, 2009 — Property tax relief is available to the owners of properties damaged or destroyed by recent snows or flooding, according to the Washington State Department of Revenue.

Taxable Retail Sales Decline 4.2 Percent in Third Quarter 2008

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 06:12:13 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 13, 2009 — Taxable retail sales declined 4.2 percent to $29.8 billion during the third quarter of 2008, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Department of Revenue Earns 16th-Straight Clean Audit

Fri, 9 Jan 2009 02:58:24 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Jan. 5, 2008 — The Department of Revenue has earned its 16th-straight clean audit from the Washington State Auditor.

$1,000 Bill, Diamonds and Other Lost Treasures Up for Auction

Thu, 8 Jan 2009 05:19:24 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Dec. 8, 2008 — The “Mrs. Bixby” letter supposedly signed by Abraham Lincoln turned out to be a fake, but the $1,000 bill and two-carat diamond in a platinum setting are real.

Washington State launches video to help small businesses with tax planning

Thu, 27 Nov 2008 06:52:38 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Nov. 24, 2008 — Washington State has launched a multi-agency streaming video that gives new and small businesses easy-to-understand basics on how to plan for, prepare, and pay state business taxes and insurance premiums.

Yacht Broker, Septic Tank Operator Plead Guilty to Felony Theft of Sales Tax

Sat, 8 Nov 2008 11:00:28 -0900

EVERETT, Wash., Nov. 5, 2008 — Everett yacht broker Ronald J. Sperry and septic tank operator Jeffrey S. Rice both pled guilty today to felony theft of sales tax they collected from customers of their businesses.

Taxable Retail Sales Decline 2.4 Percent in Second Quarter 2008

Sun, 12 Oct 2008 10:45:01 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Oct. 09, 2008 — Taxable retail sales declined 2.4 percent to $29.1 billion during the second quarter of 2008, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Property Tax Revenues Increase 6.2 Percent in 2008

Sat, 4 Oct 2008 06:52:08 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 30, 2008 — Property tax revenues increased 6.2 percent to $8.2 billion in 2008, with more than half of the increase stemming from new construction and voter-approved levies, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Sales Tax Exemption Takes Effect Jan. 1 for Alternative Fuel Vehicles, Certain Hybrids

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 14:00:13 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Sept. 8, 2008 — Purchases of new clean alternative fuel vehicles and hybrids that get at least 40 miles per gallon highway will be exempt from sales tax beginning Jan. 1, 2009.

Auditor: Revenue Does Excellent Job Collecting Debts

Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:56:54 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., Aug. 12, 2008 — The Department of Revenue is doing an excellent job managing state debt collections, according to a performance audit issued today by State Auditor Brian Sonntag.

Taxable Retail Sales Increase 1.4 Percent During First Quarter 2008

Fri, 18 Jul 2008 14:34:25 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., July 15, 2008 — Taxable retail sales reported by Washington businesses increased 1.4 percent to $26.6 billion during the first quarter of 2008, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Yakama Nation Cigarette Compact Terminated

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 14:17:03 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., July 7, 2008 — The State of Washington and the Yakama Indian Nation have terminated their cigarette tax compact.

“We have been working closely with tribal representatives over the last year and regret that termination is the outcome,” Department of Revenue Director Cindi Holmstrom said. “We appreciate very much the efforts of the Tribe as we worked through the issues."

Washington Ranked 28th Nationally in Taxes Relative to Income in 2006

Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:43:11 -0900

Olympia – Jun. 24, 2008 – Washington ranked 28th among the states in state and local taxes as a percentage of personal income in 2006, according to an annual report issued by the Washington State Department of Revenue.Washingtonians paid an average of 11.2 percent of their personal income in state and local taxes in 2006, based on statistics published by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Knowing Your Sales Tax Rate Could Save You Money

Sat, 14 Jun 2008 23:22:05 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., June 11, 2008 – Some consumers may save money on sales tax due to a change in how the tax is collected on shipped and delivered goods beginning July 1.

That's because the sales tax for shipped or delivered goods will be based on where the customer receives the product rather than the point from which it is shipped.

Businesses bounce back from smoking ban

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 23:18:52 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., June 10, 2008 — Businesses have bounced back strongly from the effects of the Initiative 901 smoking ban, racking up strong gains in gross income during 2007.

Yacht Broker Charged with Felony Theft of Sales Tax

Sun, 1 Jun 2008 20:56:01 -0900

Everett, Wash., May 27, 2008 — An Everett yacht broker was charged today with felony theft of sales tax and filing false state tax returns.

Revenue Earns Washington State Quality Award

Mon, 19 May 2008 04:37:37 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., May 15, 2008 — The Washington State Quality Award (WSQA) program has named the Washington State Department of Revenue recipient of its Achievement Award.

Taxable Retail Sales Increase 7 Percent in 2007

Tue, 29 Apr 2008 03:35:47 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., April 25, 2008 — Taxable retail sales increased 7 percent to $118.2 billion in 2007, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Washington State Department of Revenue Wins FTA Award for User-Centered Web Site

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 04:31:21 -0900

Washington, D.C., April 18, 2008 -- The Federation of Tax Administrators (FTA) announced this week that the Washington Department of Revenue is winner of its 2008 Award for Outstanding Technology Applications in State Tax Administration.

Taxable Retail Sales Increase 6.2 Percent for Fourth Quarter 2007

Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:31:50 -0900

OLYMPIA, Wash., April 10, 2007 — Overall taxable retail sales increased 6.2 percent during the fourth quarter of 2007, although retail trade rose less than half that amount, the Washington State Department of Revenue reported today.

Wanted: Owners of $600 Million in Unclaimed Cash

Sun, 6 Apr 2008 07:28:20 -0900

Olympia, Wash., April 2, 2008 — Odds are better than ever that you or someone you know has unclaimed cash coming, even if you’ve found something before.

Restaurateurs Plead Guilty to Theft of Sales Tax

Sat, 5 Apr 2008 16:13:44 -0900

Seattle, Wash., April 1, 2008 — The former operators of the Luau Polynesian Lounge in Seattle pled guilty today to siphoning off nearly $26,000 in sales taxes for personal expenses, including a $2,000 monthly lease on a luxury automobile.

Workshops To Address Mysteries of Tribal Sovereignty

Tue, 4 Mar 2008 10:58:27 -0900

Tacoma, Wash., Feb. 29, 2008 — Are you not quite clear about how to do business with Indian tribes and tribal members? Here’s your chance to ask questions and get answers.

Area businesses, local governments and the general public are invited to attend a free tribal workshop called “Uncovering the Mystery of Tribal Sovereignty – Facts and Fiction about tribes, state government, and their taxing authority,” to be held in Tacoma on March. 25.

State Charges Marysville Septic Tank Operator with Felony Fraud, Theft of Sales Taxes

Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:43:11 -0900

EVERETT – Feb. 21, 2008 – The operator of a Marysville septic tank company has been charged with felony theft of sales tax and filing fraudulent state tax returns to cover up the thefts.

Claim Your Cash at the Seattle Home Show

Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:20:17 -0900

Seattle, Feb. 12, 2008 — Have a remodeling project in mind? If you attend the Seattle Home Show this Saturday, you might find out you have some cash coming to help pay for it.

Taxable Retail Sales Increase 5.9 Percent During Third Quarter 2007

Mon, 28 Jan 2008 10:23:58 -0900

OLYMPIA, Jan. 24, 2008 — Taxable retail sales increased 5.9 percent to $31.1 billion during the third quarter of 2007 compared to year-earlier results, the Washington Department of Revenue reported today.