Wealthy Taxpayers Continue Leaving Washington

New IRS migration data shows that more than 68,000 tax filers left King County in 2023, taking approximately $2.2 billion in adjusted gross income with them. King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn argues the trend could worsen in future years, pointing to anecdotal evidence that business owners, investors, and high-income earners are increasingly exploring opportunities outside Washington. The discussion comes as Washington lawmakers debate income taxes, estate taxes, business competitiveness, and economic growth. Critics warn that continued outmigration of high earners could have long-term consequences for jobs, investment, and the state's tax base. In this report, we break down the new IRS data, what it means for Washington taxpayers, and the broader debate over economic policy and competitiveness. #WashingtonState #Seattle #KingCounty #IRS #Taxes #Economy #Taxpayer #BusinessExodus #IncomeTax #WashingtonPolitics #EconomicDevelopment #SeattleEconomy #Migration #WashingtonNews #TheCenterSquare