Washington boaters: WA State Watercraft Excise Tax

[Submariner]

Reading the bill, it says that 50% of the excise tax goes into the General Fund, the other 50% goes into the Forward Flexible fund.

 

[SJI Sailor]

I believe the previously stated gas/diesel tax rates in WA were the automotive rates; marine rates are lower by $0.175 https://rbaw.org/Marine-Fuel-Tax-Refund.

One thing worth noting is that WA has magnificent marine state parks -- dozens of them, including many that are exclusively accessible to boaters. So direct comparison to other states is complex.

OTOH, boaters cannot be squeezed forever, and IMO as a matter of general fairness, there is no good reason for the huge disparity of boat taxes vs RVs and airplanes.

The marginal effect of such a large tax increase would be to make our magnificent waters and parks even more difficult for middle-class folks to access.

 

[HookedUp]

I'll take a guess on why boats right now - they are increasing in value while others (cars, RVs, etc.) are still depreciating. It's hard to imagine, but my 2018 boat is worth more now than when I bought it. So, if money is the only object boats are appreciating and an easy target.

I agree it's not fair and in the long run seems to be counter intuitive, but politics is rarely out to be fair. Good luck to getting the bill changed before it becomes law.

 

[SJI Sailor]

From RBAW:

We have good news to report! Today in the Senate Transportation Committee, legislators considering Senate Bill 5483, a bill containing new revenues to pay for a transportation investment package, unanimously adopted an amendment to remove the provisions from the bill that would have doubled the Watercraft Excise Tax!

 

[baz]

From RBAW:

We have good news to report! Today in the Senate Transportation Committee, legislators considering Senate Bill 5483, a bill containing new revenues to pay for a transportation investment package, unanimously adopted an amendment to remove the provisions from the bill that would have doubled the Watercraft Excise Tax!

Yay.... good news indeed. 😀

 

[Bruce Moore]

Outstanding. Thanks to all who registered an objection. Closing this thread.