Taxes and cost of living-Oregon vs. Washington (Seattle, Tacoma: 2014, foreclosures)

[Ultrarunner]

Don't get me started on Oregon attendant fueling law...

One of my coworkers is in Harley Davidson touring group... a gas station attendant put a gouge in his tank...

My brother manages apartments in Vancouver WA and just about everyone shops Oregon.

I've been told that Oregon residents shopping in Washington don't have to pay sales tax under certain circumstances.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by Ultrarunner

Don't get me started on Oregon attendant fueling law...

One of my coworkers is in Harley Davidson touring group... a gas station attendant put a gouge in his tank...

My brother manages apartments in Vancouver WA and just about everyone shops Oregon.

I've been told that Oregon residents shopping in Washington don't have to pay sales tax under certain circumstances.

Completely off-topic question: Do the attendant fueling laws not apply to the reservations? I used to stop all the time at a big truck-stop type gas station a few miles east of Pendleton, and I always pumped my own gas there, and the fact that it's on Native American land is the only difference from any other gas station in OR, as far as I can tell.

[Ultrarunner]

Don't really know...

The car club had a convention near Seattle a few years back and apparently as long as the attendant picks up the nozzle and hands it to you... it's OK and when done, you hand it back to the attendant.

For whatever reason.. there are marked differences between Oregon and Washington in many areas...

I do know people that have retired from California to Oregon than anywhere else... and some were not even retired.

[AK76]

Originally Posted by PS90

Completely off-topic question: Do the attendant fueling laws not apply to the reservations? I used to stop all the time at a big truck-stop type gas station a few miles east of Pendleton, and I always pumped my own gas there, and the fact that it's on Native American land is the only difference from any other gas station in OR, as far as I can tell.

Federal law recognizes a special kind of Indian sovereign authority to govern themselves, subject to an overriding federal authority. Indian tribes are considered by federal law to be "domestic, dependent nations." Congress enacted this sovereign authority to protect Indian groups from state authority. This sovereign authority extends to Indian tribal courts, which adjudicate matters relating to Indian affairs. The U.S. Supreme Court heard a case in in 2008 concerning the extent of tribal courts' jurisdiction. In Plains Commerce Bank v. Long Family Cattle Co. (07-411), the U.S. Supreme Court reaffirmed a long-held principle that tribes do not have jurisdiction over non-Indians conducting activity on a non-Indian fee simple, even if on an Indian reservation, unless the activity threatens the welfare of the tribe.

https://www.law.cornell.edu/wex/American_Indian_law

[leeteam]

Low taxes in a Liberal state may be very difficult to find. Washington, Oregon and California are considered the "Left" Coast and have some of the highest taxes in the US. The tax and spend policies of Progressive Liberal Democrats always demand higher taxes to implement their Socialist agenda. Liberals vote for programs that increase taxes, get tired of paying high taxes, move to fiscal conservative states and vote for programs that increase taxes. You may have to make a choice between Liberal State or Low taxes.

7 States With No Income Tax

https://www.thebalance.com/states-wi...me-tax-3193345

[StealthRabbit]

You can get low taxes in WA if You:
1) Rent housing rather than buy (not all landlords can / will pass on the HUGE property taxes many of us pay)
2) Are an EMPLOYEE rather than an employer
3) Do not own a business with capital assets (i.e. web designer with leased equip / contract worker or similar)

Heaven forbid if you are the antonym of this:
1) Own a home with waterfront or a view (My property taxes went from $832/ yr to over $14700, same home, just older now <$100k cost, I rebuy it every 7 yrs in taxes alone)
2) Job creator / employer - (WA DOR and L&I obligations every qtr or every month)
3) Capital equipment = Use Tax and Personal Property tax (adding to your costs everyday)

[KSinmyrearviewmirror]

Originally Posted by leeteam

Low taxes in a Liberal state may be very difficult to find. Washington, Oregon and California are considered the "Left" Coast and have some of the highest taxes in the US.. . . . You may have to make a choice between Liberal State or Low taxes.

7 States With No Income Tax

https://www.thebalance.com/states-wi...me-tax-3193345

And then you post a link which mentions Washington is one of 7 States With No Income Tax?

Here in Kansas, Federal & Military retirees pay NO INCOME TAX on retirement . . . . Brownback failed with LLCs paying no Income Tax (no trickle-down, just wet pant legs) . . . government cut beyond the bone . . . lowest thread count of any state on C-D . . . . 49th in per capita public lands (KS lost pop., or it would still be 50th!!) . . . => my wife & I (both ret. FEDS) looking for a state not in REVERSE, where we may have to pay taxes on our retirement.

But. HAY. congrats on your first C-D post!

[NW4me]

how about Stealth Rabbit's statement that rents were lower in Olympia than in Eugene -- is that still true today?

[pnwguy2]

Oregonians can shop in Washington and not pay WA State sales tax for ALL items. Just flash a valid ID and you are good to go. On the other hand, Washingtonians can not buy big ticket items in Oregon without it being illegal. Generally if the item is licensed, it will be caught and you will be fined. Of course, if you pay with cash nobody will be the wiser. But WA residents attempting to buy a car, truck, boat, or even a large appliance or furniture purchase to avoid the WA sales tax are subject to the WA tax if, and only if, found out. Vehicles will be tracked, furniture/appliances is another story.

To the overall OP post: It tends to even out. WA has no income tax, OR has no sales tax. Your individual situation depends on your income and your purchasing behavior.

One caveat is that if you work in Oregon and live in Washington you still must pay Oregon income tax.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by pnwguy2

Oregonians can shop in Washington and not pay WA State sales tax for ALL items. Just flash a valid ID and you are good to go. ...

Maybe... but LEGALLY it is the full right / choice of the retailer (in any state) to 'offer' sales tax free shopping to 'qualified' buyers. But... it is the OBLIGATION / RESPONSIBILITY of that retailer to collect appropriate sales tax on ALL SALES transacted in their business domicile state.

Thus ALL WA businesses must report and PROVE which sales were done w/o sales tax collected and why. (Believe me WA DOR holds a very tight rein on this). Hence... this is a royal PITA, (on monthly / qtly reporting)... so never be surprised if a WA retailer (or any state with a sales tax) does NOT honor your 'REQUEST' for sales tax exclusion. It is FULLY the responsibility / choice of the retailer to do so, as they WILL be paying that sales tax for you, (+ a penalty) if they do not have accurate records of why it was not collected.

Personally... I am really surprised at the number of WA retailers who grant sales tax free transactions to 'qualified' purchasers (usually MT, AK, OR, / First Nation). Retailers are NOT required to do so.

btw: I DID get audited by WA DOR on a ALL the supplies purchased for a few homes (WA Border dwellings). That was several hundred thousand $$ worth of materials. (Nearly all my Fixtures / Doors / windows / cabinets were bought from Oregon based Rebuilding Centers (only because those businesses happen to be located in Oregon, and no equivalent businesses were nearby in WA)

My WA commercial tenants struggle due to sales tax / border issues, so I am glad to pay the WA sales tax to keep my rents flowing IN, and to keep WA businesses solvent / viable.