Washington Policy Center: Farmers Do Pay Taxes

Washington state Senator John McCoy raised the ire of many in the farm industry last year when he claimed that farmers don’t pay taxes, but is that true?

A Recent Study conducted by the Washington Policy Center found that statement to be false, noting that farmers and ranchers pay a variety of taxes, including B&O tax, self-employment taxes, and state and federal payroll taxes.  WPC noted Washington is one of two states in which farmers pay sales or use tax on equipment.  The study added Washington farmers and ranchers pay, on average over $403 million annually in total property taxes, statewide; representing 14% of the total property taxes collected.

And in 2018, farmers and ranchers in the Evergreen state paid over $922 million in taxes all together.

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