A small private aircraft in a hangar. [Shutterstock]
Key Takeaways:
Washington State is considering a 10 percent tax on the sale of noncommercial aircraft (and other items) valued over $500,000, proposed in Senate Bill 5801 to fund transportation infrastructure.
A broad coalition of aviation industry groups and nonprofits strongly opposes the tax, arguing it will harm businesses, agricultural operators, pilot schools, and essential services like patient transport and wildfire assistance, impacting more than just luxury assets.
Opponents have urged Governor Bob Ferguson to veto the aircraft tax provisions, although he has not commented specifically on the tax, he has voiced general discomfort with the high level of taxes in current budget proposals.
Washington State could soon adopt a spending plan imposing a 10 percent tax on the sale of noncommercial aircraft worth over $500,000.
The state Senate last month signed off on the new fee as part of a broader budget proposal known as SB 5801. Backers say the tax is needed to support transportation infrastructure like roads and ferries.
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Zach Vasile is a writer and editor covering news in all aspects of aviation. He has reported for and contributed to the Manchester Journal Inquirer, the Hartford Business Journal, the Charlotte Observer, and the Washington Examiner, with his area of focus being the intersection of business and government policy.
