Pilots in Washington State are making a final push to persuade lawmakers not to enact a proposed aircraft excise tax.
The proposed tax, which is part of Senate Bill 6143, would levy an annual excise tax of 0.5% based on the value of aircraft manufactured after Dec. 31, 1970. Aircraft manufactured before that date will be assessed an annual fee, with lawmakers proposing to double the current fee. Estimates are that the proposed tax hike could lead to an increase of 1,400% or more, according to opponents.
Upon hearing that the legislation was in the works, pilot groups in the Evergreen State launched an education campaign to persuade lawmakers to drop the bill. Realizing it was necessary to present a united front, aviation groups joined forces to create the Washington Aviation Coalition, which sent e-mail reminders to pilots urging them to express their opposition to the tax to their elected officials.
The coalition “is made up of some pretty heavy hitters,” according to Bruce Hinds, director of the Washington Seaplane Pilots Association. “That opens up their resources, such as lobbyists, to help the little guys like us.”
Besides the state’s Seaplane Pilots Association, the coalition includes the Washington Pilots Association, the San Juan Pilots Association, the Washington Aviation Association, Northwest War Bird Chapters, the Washington Search and Rescue Association, Washington Airport Management Association, the Pacific Northwest Business Aviation Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Northwest Recreational Flying Association, and the National Business Aviation Association.
“It’s a much bigger picture than a simple tax on aircraft owners,” Hinds said, noting that a few weeks ago when the coalition was in Olympia, the state’s capital, to speak before lawmakers, one of the speakers was a representative from Alaska Airlines.
“They realized that even though they are exempt, they would be affected because of the severe impact to their vendors,” he said. “Those businesses also serve GA, so if they suffer, their costs go up and they move out of state or they go out of business.”
In its e-mail campaign, the coalition warned pilots that the annual tax “could represent an increase of 1,400% or more over previous aircraft registration fees.”
“It is vitally important that you let your state senator know you want the aircraft excise tax increase removed from the bill,” the e-mail continued. “Some legislators erroneously feel this bill will have little effect on the Washington general aviation community, and that all aircraft owners are wealthy. Tell them the truth!”
Hundreds of pilots have responded, contacting their elected representatives, pointing out that aviation in the state is already heavily taxed, so adding more expense may make some people quit flying altogether.
The legislative session ends March 11.
You liberals can pay your own taxes…. I’m done. Moving to Idaho.
I’m pretty sure the only thing these backwards, liberal, tax collecting politicians are going to respond to is a revolution, dont ask me how they will benefit there. but they must see it coming and maybe are even enviting it. good luck to the REAL PATRIOTS. p.s. do this and i will move to a free state and take my lowly tax dollars with me.
John Horn… I am a Washington pilot and boater. Yes, boat owners currently pay a 0.5% yearly excise tax. It used to apply to cars as well until that was repealed by a voter initiative. Not sure if RVs still have to pay it or not. I do know that I am currently in the market for my first aircraft, and this new annual tax is making me seriously reconsider that. It’s bad enough that our sales tax (which yes, applies to aircraft as well) is going to go above 10% in some areas as part of this same bill.
When will politicians get away from ownership taxes, which KILL investment, and focus simply on use taxes, such as raising the rate of av gas, or, to get a better revenue stream for those liberals, by raising the automobile gas tax? Answer – they are pandering to the populist proletariat who see nothing wrong with squeezing a tiny fraction of electors. Surprising for a state whose economy is so dependent on Boeing. Not surprising for a bunch of liberals though, especially as their commander in chief is so opposed to us little people enjoying the freeedom to fly at our own expense that he has paid for by us in his 747. Gross hypocracy.
There is an existing tax system in place. It is not necessary to create a new government agency to assess planes and collect taxes. Is this how government creates new jobs? This looks like a done deal to me but I am opposed to how this was done and to characterization of aircraft owners as the greedy wealthy elite.
Talk about killing the goose that laid the golden egg. We bring jobs and support many critical transportation needs. There is another perception that no one will notice the tax, or that it is just a matter of time before all other states will follow suite. No, People will move, avoid, or give up aviation. The history of taxation is that if taxation is made to hurt People avoid, do without, or revolt. Trust me we are not happy. You know this is true I have read the provisions in the bill to address the people who will flee. Put on your thinking caps Olympia!
When will it end? Lawmakers never stop the needless spending and taxing to cover their asses! We have too many people asleep at the wheel and let these ( I don’t know how they got elected) assholes to destroy not only aviation , but the whole Free enterprise system. Let’s put a stop to it, and especially at election time. Don’t say” my vote does’nt count”, and get off your lazy apathetic asses and VOTE!! I used alot of ass referals, but it was a little cleaner than what I’m really thinking.
Might run pilots and Aircraft out of the state??? I moved my plane to Washington state in 1981. After the raping I took at the hands of the Washington State Department of Revenue over my Amateur Built Experimental Aircraft, I moved out of that state the following year. Aviation has always been a big part of my life and will be as long as I live. I would love to retire to Washington State and move my Aircraft Maintenance Business with me, but at what cost? Nope. They already ran me off decades ago. I love the Western Cascades, but won’t subject myself to the greedy anti-aviation politicians in that state again.
I am from Oregon, not Washington but I can see this splilling over if approved in WA. I am totally opposed to this mmean spirited, misinformed approach that these lawmakers are taking. Do boats and motorhomes pay similar fees? They are no different than the vast majority of GA aircraft.