Washington State’s gas tax, already among the highest in the nation, is going up next week. The state’s per-gallon fuel tax of 55.4 cents will climb 1.1 cents on July 1. The 2% bump is the first of the annual inflationary adjustments required by a 2025 law.
Transportation Revenue
With the increase, Washington’s gas tax will be 56.5 cents, trailing only California and Pennsylvania, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration figures updated earlier this year. The per-gallon tax on diesel will get a 2% boost, rising from 58.4 cents to 59.5 cents. The state taxes are on top of federal fuel taxes, which are 18.4 cents for gasoline and 24.4 cents for diesel.
Even with the changes, revenues for the state’s two-year transportation budget are expected to be $36 million lower than anticipated. Washington Chief Economist Dave Reich on Monday issued a new forecast showing revenue collections will be lower due to a drop in revenue from the gas tax, registration fees, and rental car tax.
Truck weight fees are going up 2%. This affects annual registration fees for all trucks, from pickups to big rigs, with a graduated schedule of costs based on the gross weight. The retail sales tax on boats and recreational vessels will be bumped up.
Original reporting: Clark County Today (Vancouver WA) — read the source article.
