The short version

Claim we investigated

Washington's 2025 tax package was the largest tax increase in state history.

Mostly true. It raised the most dollars of any single session, even after inflation, but less relative to the budget than 1981. After inflation, 2025's tax bills raised $3.6 billion in 2025-27, more than any earlier session. As a share of general-fund revenue, their 4.7% trails November 1981 (8.2%) and roughly matches 1993 (4.0% to 5.5%).

Quote or cite this fact-check
FactHub rates the claim “Washington's 2025 tax package was the largest tax increase in state history” Mostly true (moderate confidence): It raised the most dollars of any single session, even after inflation, but less relative to the budget than 1981. Reviewed November 3, 2026. https://facthub.org/n/article/wa-2025-largest-tax-increase/2

Key points

What the evidence establishes

  • Established. The 2025 tax bills were estimated to raise $3.6 billion for the state general fund in 2025-27 and $9.0 billion over four years.
  • Established. In 2025 dollars, the next largest session was 2017, at $2.7 billion; 1993 and November 1981 each raised about $2.0 billion.
  • Established. Relative to general-fund revenue, 2025 (4.7%) was smaller than November 1981 (8.2%) and about the same as 1993 (4.0% to 5.5%).
  • Established. Counted by two-year Legislature, the three 1981-82 sessions raised $3.5 billion to $3.8 billion in 2025 dollars, roughly tying 2025, and 14.6% of revenue.
  • Context. We measured each package in the budget period it passed, the only basis available for every year; longer periods raise 2025's share to 5.7-6.6%.
  • Context. All figures leave out transportation and local taxes; the 2025 gas and other vehicle tax increases add over $3 billion over six years.
Important context: The answer depends on how size is measured. Dollars, even after inflation, favor recent years because Washington's budget has grown: general-fund revenue is about 11 times its 1981-83 level. A share of revenue removes that growth. We counted new state general-fund taxes in the two-year budget period each package passed, left out transportation and local taxes, and compared sessions, since the claim is about the 2025 package.

But he ended up passing the largest tax increase in state history and a big new tax on gas and diesel.

David Boze, Communications and strategy director, Washington Policy Center Washington Policy Center commentary, "The 2025 Tax Tsunami in Washington State" · · Assertion

Context: The sentence is about Governor Bob Ferguson, who had pushed back on some proposed taxes before signing the 2025 package. Earlier the piece says the Legislature passed "$9.55 billion in new taxes and $3 billion in local taxes", not counting the gas and diesel tax increase, and gives no source or period for those figures.

Source: Washington Policy Center · View in the dataset

The evidence

The conclusion rests on the combined record. Expand each item to see its role and limitations.

Independence note: This check uses 5 methods across 6 institutions and 1 country or international grouping.
Evidence map
Method Institution / country Year(s) What it shows Key limitation Primary links
Revenue estimates from the Legislature's budget notes for each session, compared in the biennium of enactment Washington State Legislature (House and Senate fiscal committees), Washington Research Council United States 1981, 1982, 1993, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2025 Legislative fiscal staff estimated the main 2025 tax bills for 2025-27. The business gross receipts tax bill was $2.1 billion and the sales tax on services bill $1.1 billion. The capital gains and estate bill was $322 million, and cuts to tax breaks $50 million. With a smaller fifth bill, the total is about $3.6 billion. The Washington Research Council, citing the state forecast council, puts the four-year total at $9.0 billion. No earlier session reached $2.1 billion in its own dollars. These are estimates made at enactment, not collections. The budget notes' $4.4 billion headline also counts $609 million moved from transportation accounts, which is not a tax and is left out here. The four-year figure comes from the Washington Research Council's table, which cites the forecast council; we could not open the council's own report. Washington State Legislature (fiscal.wa.gov) Washington Research Council FactHub
Each session's estimate converted to 2025 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index for the year it was enacted Washington State Legislature, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, FactHub Research Team United States 1981, 1982, 1993, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2021, 2025 In 2025 dollars, 2025's package ($3.6 billion) is the largest of any session. Next come 2017 ($2.7 billion), 1993 ($2.0 billion, counting its health taxes) and the November 1981 special session ($2.0 billion), which raised $563 million when enacted. The spring and June 1982 sessions added $300 million and $144.3 million. Together, the three 1981-82 sessions raised about $3.5 billion in 2025 dollars, or about $3.8 billion with a higher 1982 estimate and a 1983 surtax bill. The 1981-82 sessions passed taxes partway through a budget period, so their figures cover 13 to 19 months; over a full two years they would be larger. Some spring 1983 increases have no estimate in the reports we could read. FactHub FactHub Washington State Legislature Washington State Legislature
Each session's new revenue divided by general-fund revenue for the same budget period Washington State Legislature, Washington Economic and Revenue Forecast Council United States 1981, 1993, 2025 The November 1981 taxes equaled 8.2% of 1981-83 general-fund revenue, and all three 1981-82 sessions 14.6%. The 1993 omnibus tax bill raised $648.7 million (4.0%), and its separate health reform taxes another $251.4 million (5.5% combined). The 2025 tax bills equal 4.7% of 2025-27 near-general-fund revenue, or 5.1% against the forecast before the package. General-fund definitions changed: the 1993-95 base leaves out the health account that received the 1993 health taxes, so 1993's combined share is slightly high. The 1993-95 base is a 1994 estimate, not a final count. FactHub Washington State Legislature (fiscal.wa.gov) Washington State Legislature
Comparison with the Washington Research Council's inflation-adjusted ranking of tax bills in their first full biennium Washington Research Council United States 1994, 2017, 2025 The Washington Research Council counted revenue to all state accounts, including transportation, in each package's first full two-year period and adjusted for inflation. It found 2025 the largest since at least the early 1990s, and 2017 the next highest. Its method differs from ours, but the order of the two largest recent packages is the same. The council's ranking starts in 1994, so it does not test 1993 or 1981-82. It is a business-supported group that opposed the 2025 package. Washington Research Council
Sensitivity of the share to the period measured FactHub Research Team, Washington Research Council United States 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 Some 2025 taxes started late in 2025, so the package is bigger in later years. It raises about $5.4 billion in 2027-29, the $9.0 billion four-year total minus the first two years. That is 6.6% of forecast revenue, and 5.7% over four years. These shares exceed 1993's first-period share but stay below November 1981's 8.2%, and well below the 1981-82 total. We found no full-period or four-year estimates for the 1981-82 or 1993 packages, so these longer-period shares cannot be compared like for like. FactHub Washington Research Council
1. In dollars, 2025's tax bills were the largest by far Revenue estimates from the Legislature's budget notes for each session, compared in the biennium of enactment

Legislative fiscal staff estimated the main 2025 tax bills for 2025-27. The business gross receipts tax bill was $2.1 billion and the sales tax on services bill $1.1 billion. The capital gains and estate bill was $322 million, and cuts to tax breaks $50 million. With a smaller fifth bill, the total is about $3.6 billion. The Washington Research Council, citing the state forecast council, puts the four-year total at $9.0 billion. No earlier session reached $2.1 billion in its own dollars.

Limit: These are estimates made at enactment, not collections. The budget notes' $4.4 billion headline also counts $609 million moved from transportation accounts, which is not a tax and is left out here. The four-year figure comes from the Washington Research Council's table, which cites the forecast council; we could not open the council's own report.

Verify: 2025 Legislative Budget Notes Historically Large Tax Package Rushed Through at the End of Session (Special Report 25-01) New tax revenue by session, nominal dollars

2. After inflation, 2025 still tops every single session Each session's estimate converted to 2025 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index for the year it was enacted

In 2025 dollars, 2025's package ($3.6 billion) is the largest of any session. Next come 2017 ($2.7 billion), 1993 ($2.0 billion, counting its health taxes) and the November 1981 special session ($2.0 billion), which raised $563 million when enacted. The spring and June 1982 sessions added $300 million and $144.3 million. Together, the three 1981-82 sessions raised about $3.5 billion in 2025 dollars, or about $3.8 billion with a higher 1982 estimate and a 1983 surtax bill.

Limit: The 1981-82 sessions passed taxes partway through a budget period, so their figures cover 13 to 19 months; over a full two years they would be larger. Some spring 1983 increases have no estimate in the reports we could read.

Verify: New tax revenue by session, in 2025 dollars The three 1981-82 sessions combined 1981 Final Legislative Report, Second Special Session 1982 Final Legislative Report, Second Special Session

In 2025 dollars, 2025's tax package is the largestNew state general-fund revenue from each session's tax bills in the two-year budget period they were enacted, adjusted to 2025 dollars.{"width":960,"height":540,"plot":{"left":90,"top":70,"right":926,"bottom":482},"yDomain":[0,4],"series":[{"name":"Value","color":"#176b87"}],"points":[{"series":0,"x":136.44,"y":277.03,"xLabel":"1981 (Nov.)","yLabel":"$2.0"},{"series":0,"x":229.33,"y":379,"xLabel":"1982 (spring)","yLabel":"$1.0"},{"series":0,"x":322.22,"y":432.56,"xLabel":"1982 (June)","yLabel":"$0.5"},{"series":0,"x":415.11,"y":274.97,"xLabel":"1993","yLabel":"$2.0"},{"series":0,"x":508,"y":366.64,"xLabel":"2010","yLabel":"$1.1"},{"series":0,"x":600.89,"y":204.93,"xLabel":"2017","yLabel":"$2.7"},{"series":0,"x":693.78,"y":436.68,"xLabel":"2019","yLabel":"$0.4"},{"series":0,"x":786.67,"y":431.53,"xLabel":"2021","yLabel":"$0.5"},{"series":0,"x":879.56,"y":111.2,"xLabel":"2025","yLabel":"$3.6"}]}In 2025 dollars, 2025's tax package is the largest$0.0$1.0$2.0$3.0$4.01981 (Nov.)1982 (spring)1982 (June)19932017201920212025Session2025: $3.6B (tax bills only, 2025-27)FactHub · New general-fund tax revenue (billions of 2025 dollars)
New state general-fund tax revenue by session in the budget period it passed, in 2025 dollars. The three 1981-82 sessions together total about $3.5 billion. View source chart
3. Relative to the state's revenue, 1981 was bigger and 1993 was similar Each session's new revenue divided by general-fund revenue for the same budget period

The November 1981 taxes equaled 8.2% of 1981-83 general-fund revenue, and all three 1981-82 sessions 14.6%. The 1993 omnibus tax bill raised $648.7 million (4.0%), and its separate health reform taxes another $251.4 million (5.5% combined). The 2025 tax bills equal 4.7% of 2025-27 near-general-fund revenue, or 5.1% against the forecast before the package.

Limit: General-fund definitions changed: the 1993-95 base leaves out the health account that received the 1993 health taxes, so 1993's combined share is slightly high. The 1993-95 base is a 1994 estimate, not a final count.

Verify: New tax revenue as a share of general-fund revenue, by session 1993-95 Legislative Budget Notes Final Bill Report, E2SSB 5304 (1993 health care reform)

Relative to revenue, November 1981 was bigger and 1993 similarNew state general-fund revenue from each session's tax bills as a percent of general-fund revenue for the two-year budget period they were enacted.{"width":960,"height":540,"plot":{"left":90,"top":70,"right":926,"bottom":482},"yDomain":[0,10],"series":[{"name":"Value","color":"#176b87"}],"points":[{"series":0,"x":136.44,"y":144.16,"xLabel":"1981 (Nov.)","yLabel":"8.2"},{"series":0,"x":229.33,"y":300.72,"xLabel":"1982 (spring)","yLabel":"4.4"},{"series":0,"x":322.22,"y":395.48,"xLabel":"1982 (June)","yLabel":"2.1"},{"series":0,"x":415.11,"y":255.4,"xLabel":"1993","yLabel":"5.5"},{"series":0,"x":508,"y":370.76,"xLabel":"2010","yLabel":"2.7"},{"series":0,"x":600.89,"y":300.72,"xLabel":"2017","yLabel":"4.4"},{"series":0,"x":693.78,"y":453.16,"xLabel":"2019","yLabel":"0.7"},{"series":0,"x":786.67,"y":457.28,"xLabel":"2021","yLabel":"0.6"},{"series":0,"x":879.56,"y":288.36,"xLabel":"2025","yLabel":"4.7"}]}Relative to revenue, November 1981 was bigger and 1993 similar0.02.04.06.08.010.01981 (Nov.)1982 (spring)1982 (June)19932017201920212025Session2025 level (4.7%)FactHub · Share of general-fund revenue (%)
Each session's new tax revenue as a share of general-fund revenue for the same budget period. The three 1981-82 sessions together equal 14.6%. View source chart
4. An independent ranking since 1994 also puts 2025 first Comparison with the Washington Research Council's inflation-adjusted ranking of tax bills in their first full biennium

The Washington Research Council counted revenue to all state accounts, including transportation, in each package's first full two-year period and adjusted for inflation. It found 2025 the largest since at least the early 1990s, and 2017 the next highest. Its method differs from ours, but the order of the two largest recent packages is the same.

Limit: The council's ranking starts in 1994, so it does not test 1993 or 1981-82. It is a business-supported group that opposed the 2025 package.

Verify: Historically Large Tax Package Rushed Through at the End of Session (Special Report 25-01)

5. Measured over longer periods, 2025's share grows but has no match to compare Sensitivity of the share to the period measured

Some 2025 taxes started late in 2025, so the package is bigger in later years. It raises about $5.4 billion in 2027-29, the $9.0 billion four-year total minus the first two years. That is 6.6% of forecast revenue, and 5.7% over four years. These shares exceed 1993's first-period share but stay below November 1981's 8.2%, and well below the 1981-82 total.

Limit: We found no full-period or four-year estimates for the 1981-82 or 1993 packages, so these longer-period shares cannot be compared like for like.

Verify: 2025 and other packages under other bases Historically Large Tax Package Rushed Through at the End of Session (Special Report 25-01)

Common questions 7

“By share of the budget, 2025 was the largest tax increase since the 1981-83 biennium.”

Our rating: Mostly true

2025's share (4.7% to 6.6%) beats every later session's general-fund package, including 1993's main bill (4.0%). Counting 1993's separate health taxes (5.5%), 1993 was about the same.

See the evidence: Relative to the state's revenue, 1981 was bigger and 1993 was similar

“Weren't the early-1980s recession taxes bigger?”

Short answer: Relative to the budget, yes

Relative to the budget, yes. Facing recession shortfalls, lawmakers raised taxes in three special sessions in 1981-82, starting with a one-cent sales tax increase in November 1981. Together they equaled 14.6% of 1981-83 general-fund revenue, about three times 2025's share.

See the evidence: After inflation, 2025 still tops every single session

“Weren't some of those older tax increases temporary?”

Short answer: Some were

Some were. The Department of Revenue says the 1993 business tax rate increases were phased down from 1994 and gone by 1998. Our comparison counts only each package's first two years, so it does not credit or penalize a tax for lasting longer. Over longer periods, 2025's share grows.

See the evidence: Measured over longer periods, 2025's share grows but has no match to compare

“Counting the gas tax and local taxes would make 2025 even bigger.”

Short answer: Yes, in dollars

Yes, in dollars. The 2025 transportation package raised the gas tax and other vehicle taxes by over $3 billion over six years, according to legislative fiscal staff. We left transportation and local taxes out for every year so the comparison is even.

“Is the $9.55 billion figure right?”

Short answer: Close to state figures

It is close to the state's own estimates, though Washington Policy Center gave no source or period. The Washington Research Council's table, which cites the state forecast council, puts the 2025 tax bills at $9.0 billion over four years for the near general fund.

See the evidence: In dollars, 2025's tax bills were the largest by far

“Why compare shares at all, when taxpayers pay dollars?”

Short answer: To account for growth

Because the state budget is much bigger now. General-fund revenue is about 11 times its 1981-83 level, far more than prices rose. A share of revenue shows how big a tax increase was for the state at the time. Dollars show how much taxpayers pay. We report both.

See the evidence: After inflation, 2025 still tops every single session

Related claim: Washington's budget more than doubled in a decade, outpacing population and inflation — Washington's general-fund spending rose 114.6% from 2013-15 to 2023-25, far faster than population and inflation.

“Counted by two-year Legislature, weren't the 1981-82 increases as big as 2025's, even after inflation?”

Short answer: Roughly tied

Roughly, yes. Washington legislators serve two-year terms, and the 1981-82 Legislature's three tax sessions raised $3.5 billion to $3.8 billion in 2025 dollars, against 2025's $3.6 billion. Those figures cover only 13 to 19 months, so over a full two years they would likely be larger. We rate the 2025 package by session because that is the package the claim describes.

See the evidence: After inflation, 2025 still tops every single session

Conclusion

Washington Policy Center's claim holds on the measure most people mean by largest: dollars raised by one session's tax package. The 2025 tax bills were estimated to raise $3.6 billion for the general fund in 2025-27, and $9.0 billion over four years. In 2025 dollars, the next largest session, 2017, raised $2.7 billion, and 1993 and November 1981 each raised about $2.0 billion. The Washington Research Council, using a different method, also ranks 2025 first since 1994.

The claim goes too far in two ways. First, relative to the state's means: general-fund revenue is about 11 times its 1981-83 level. The November 1981 taxes, led by a one-cent sales tax increase, equaled 8.2% of revenue, against 4.7% for 2025. The three 1981-82 recession sessions together equaled 14.6%, about three times 2025's share. The 1993 package was about the same share as 2025: 4.0% for its general-fund bill and 5.5% with its health taxes.

Second, Washington's Legislature serves two-year terms. Counted that way, the 1981-82 Legislature's three sessions raised about $3.5 billion to $3.8 billion in 2025 dollars, roughly tying 2025's $3.6 billion. Those figures cover only 13 to 19 months and leave out some 1983 increases, so the full-period total would be higher.

We rate the claim Mostly true because it is right on the plain reading, one package's dollars, and wrong on the share reading readers comparing eras would also want. Our confidence is moderate, not high: the 1981-82 dollar figures come from scanned reports and are incomplete. The share result is firm under every choice of figures. 2025's share rises to 5.7% to 6.6% over longer periods, but no comparable long-period figures exist for 1981 or 1993.

How we checked
  1. Defined the claim as: the tax package passed in the 2025 session raised more than any earlier session's tax legislation. We also report the 1981-82 Legislature's three sessions combined, since Washington legislatures serve two-year terms.
  2. Collected each large package's estimated new general-fund revenue in the biennium it was enacted from the Legislature's budget notes, legislative reports and forecast council tables for 1981, 1982, 1993, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2021 and 2025. The 1985-91 budget notes show no large package.
  3. Excluded transportation taxes, local taxes and transfers between state accounts for every year, and counted each legislative session separately.
  4. Converted to 2025 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index (CPI-U) for each enactment year, and divided by general-fund revenue for the same biennium.
  5. Tested other bases: the three 1981-82 sessions combined, 1993 with and without health taxes, and 2025 over four years and its first full biennium.
  6. Compared the result with the Washington Research Council's independent ranking and recorded where figures were missing or read from scanned documents.
  7. Noted that the dollar, inflation-adjusted, share and longer-period results are views of one compiled table of legislative estimates; the Washington Research Council's ranking is the only outside check, and it covers only packages since 1994.

Editorial note: Scope: state taxes deposited in the general fund or its successor accounts, enacted by each legislative session, measured in the biennium of enactment. Transportation taxes and local taxes are excluded for every year, so the comparison is like for like; the 2025 gas and diesel increase is reported separately. This article checks the size ranking only; it takes no position on whether any tax was justified. Washington Policy Center's and the Senate Republican Caucus's statements are the claims checked, not evidence.

Expert-review status

No external specialist review has been recorded.

Funding and conflicts

Funding: No external funding for this piece.

Ownership: Published by the FactHub Research Team.

Conflicts: None known.

Sources 14

Sources are labeled by kind, with what this fact check takes from each, so readers can check the evidence independently.

  1. FactHub record FactHub. New tax revenue by session, in 2025 dollars

    Saved analysis in the dataset built for this article.

    • In 2025 dollars: 2025 $3.60 billion, 2017 $2.69 billion, 1993 $2.01 billion, November 1981 $1.99 billion, 2010 $1.12 billion, spring 1982 $1.00 billion.

  2. FactHub record FactHub. New tax revenue as a share of general-fund revenue, by session

    Saved analysis in the dataset built for this article.

    • Qualifies: As a share of general-fund revenue: November 1981 8.2%, 1993 5.5%, 2025 4.7%, 2017 4.4%, spring 1982 4.4%, 2010 2.7%. Revenue bases run from $6.9 billion (1981-83) to $76.3 billion (2025-27).

  3. FactHub record FactHub. New tax revenue by session, nominal dollars

    Saved analysis in the dataset built for this article.

    • In dollars of the day, 2025 raised $3.60 billion, 2017 $2.05 billion, and every other session under $1 billion.

  4. FactHub record FactHub. The three 1981-82 sessions combined

    Saved analysis in the dataset built for this article.

    • Qualifies: The three 1981-82 sessions raised $1.01 billion, about $3.5 billion in 2025 dollars (up to about $3.8 billion with alternative figures), equal to 14.6% of 1981-83 general-fund revenue.

  5. FactHub record FactHub. 2025 and other packages under other bases

    Saved analysis in the dataset built for this article.

    • Qualifies: 2025's share is 4.7% of 2025-27 revenue, 5.1% of the pre-package forecast, 5.7% over four years and 6.6% in 2027-29; no comparable long-period figures exist for 1981-82 or 1993.

  6. Government Washington State Legislature (fiscal.wa.gov). 2025 Legislative Budget Notes

    Summary of the enacted 2025-27 budgets by House and Senate fiscal staff, including each revenue bill's estimated effect.

    Reliability: Prepared by nonpartisan legislative fiscal staff after the session. Figures are enactment-time estimates.

    • Fiscal staff estimated the business gross receipts tax bill (ESHB 2081) at $2.1 billion and the sales tax on services bill (ESSB 5814) at $1.1 billion in 2025-27.

      What the source says
      (Chapter 420, Laws of 2025 [ESHB 2081]) and is estimated to increase revenues by $2.1 billion in the 2025-27 biennium.…This bill is estimated to increase revenues by $1.1 billion in the 2025-27 biennium.
      Revenue overview, p. O-9

    • Fiscal staff estimated the capital gains and estate tax bill (ESSB 5813) at $322 million and the tax-break repeal bill (ESSB 5794) at $50 million after the governor's partial veto.

      What the source says
      is estimated to increase revenues by $322 million in the 2025-27 biennium (Chapter 421, Laws of 2025 [ESSB 5813]).…Subsequent to the Governor vetoing a portion of this bill, it is estimated to increase revenues by $50 million in the 2025-27 biennium.
      Revenue overview, p. O-9

    • Qualifies: $609 million of the budget notes' $4.4 billion headline comes from a bill moving money from transportation accounts, not from new taxes, so we leave it out.

      What the source says
      While the bill will decrease NGF-O revenues in the long term, it is estimated to increase NGF-O revenues by $609 million in 2025-27 biennium.
      Revenue overview, p. O-9 (2SSB 5802)

    • Qualifies: The 2025 transportation package raised fuel and vehicle taxes by over $3 billion over six years, outside the general fund.

      What the source says
      Over the next six years, these new resources total over $3 billion.
      Transportation budget section, p. T-3
  7. Advocacy group Washington Research Council. Historically Large Tax Package Rushed Through at the End of Session (Special Report 25-01)

    July 2025 analysis of the 2025 tax bills, with a four-year table from the state forecast council and an inflation-adjusted ranking of tax packages since 1994.

    Reliability: Has a stake in this finding. Business-supported nonprofit fiscal research group that criticized the 2025 package. Its Table 1 cites the Economic and Revenue Forecast Council; its ranking counts all state accounts, including transportation.

    • The 2025 tax bills were estimated to raise $9.0 billion over four years for the near general fund.

      What the source says
      The 2025-27 operating budget relies on a tax package that is estimated to increase revenues to funds subject to the outlook (NGFO) by $9.0 billion over four years.
      p. 1

    • The council ranks the 2025 package, including transportation, as the largest since at least the early 1990s, and notes older records are spotty.

      What the source says
      represents the largest tax increase in modern Washington history, going back to at least the early 1990s. (Prior to the 2000s, digital legislative and fiscal records are spotty.)
      p. 1-2

    • On the council's inflation-adjusted, all-accounts basis, 2017 was the next highest year after 2025.

      What the source says
      The next highest combined amount was in 2017
      p. 2, discussion of Chart 1
  8. Government Washington State Legislature. 1981 Final Legislative Report, Second Special Session

    Legislative staff report on the November 1981 special session, which raised the sales tax from 4.5% to 5.5%.

    Reliability: Prepared by legislative staff; a scanned document read by text recognition.

    • Qualifies: Facing a recession shortfall, the November 1981 session raised taxes by $563 million for the 1981-83 budget period.

      What the source says
      Facing a shortfall of general fund revenues of approximately $730 million, the Legislature found it necessary to revise the original 1981-83 budget by reducing state general fund spending by $284 million and increasing tax revenues by $563 million.
      1981-83 Biennial Operating Budget summary

    • Qualifies: The largest item in the November 1981 increases was a one-cent sales tax increase, estimated at $527.4 million.

      What the source says
      One Cent Sales Tax Increase
      General fund revenue reconciliation table
  9. Government Washington State Legislature. 1982 Final Legislative Report, Second Special Session

    Legislative staff report on the June 1982 special session, summarizing both 1982 special sessions.

    Reliability: Prepared by legislative staff; a scanned document read by text recognition. Another 1982 report gives $326 million for the spring session.

    • Qualifies: The spring 1982 session raised taxes by $300 million.

      What the source says
      The 1982 First Extraordinary Session produced a decrease of $141 million in State General Fund appropriations, accompanied by increased tax revenues of $300 million.
      Budget summary

    • Qualifies: The June 1982 session added revenue measures projected to raise $144.3 million.

      What the source says
      revenue-producing plans projected to yield $144.3 million
      Budget summary
  10. Government Washington State Legislature (fiscal.wa.gov). 1993-95 Legislative Budget Notes

    Summary of the 1993-95 budget and the 1993 omnibus tax bill (2ESSB 5967) by legislative fiscal staff.

    Reliability: Prepared by House and Senate fiscal staff after the 1993 session.

    • Qualifies: The 1993 omnibus tax bill was estimated to raise $648.7 million in 1993-95.

      What the source says
      Net revenues under this legislation are estimated to be $648.7 million for the 1993-95 biennium.
      Revenue section, Omnibus Tax Package
  11. Government Washington State Legislature. Final Bill Report, E2SSB 5304 (1993 health care reform)

    Senate staff summary of the 1993 health reform law, which raised tobacco, alcohol and health-related taxes.

    Reliability: Prepared by Senate staff; the revenue went to a health account that today's general-fund definition includes.

    • Qualifies: The 1993 health reform taxes were estimated to raise another $251.4 million in 1993-95, for a health account outside the general fund at the time.

      What the source says
      and hospitals will raise an estimated $251.4 million during the 1993-95 biennium, which will be deposited in the health services trust account.
      Revenue
  12. Government Washington State Department of Revenue. Tax history chronology

    The Department of Revenue's chronology of major Washington tax changes.

    Reliability: Agency reference document that administers the taxes; no position on the 2025 package.

    • Qualifies: The 1993 business tax rate increases were phased down starting in 1994 and gone by 1998.

      What the source says
      these increases were phased down starting in 1994 and eliminated by 1998
      Chronology, 1993 entry
  13. Advocacy group Washington Policy Center. The 2025 Tax Tsunami in Washington State

    June 13, 2025 commentary by David Boze, the claim checked here.

    Reliability: Has a stake in this finding. Free-market think tank that opposed the 2025 tax bills. The piece gives no source or period for its dollar figures.

    • Washington Policy Center put the 2025 package at $9.55 billion in new state taxes plus $3 billion local, not counting the gas and diesel tax increase.

      What the source says
      $9.55 billion in new taxes and $3 billion in local taxes
      Paragraph on the 2025 session · David Boze, communications and strategy director, Washington Policy Center
  14. Party to the dispute Washington State Senate Republican Caucus. An Affordable Washington

    Senate Republican Caucus summary of the 2025 session.

    Reliability: Has a stake in this finding. The minority caucus that opposed the 2025 tax bills. Its own comparison concedes the 1981-83 increases were larger relative to the budget.

    • Qualifies: Opponents of the package themselves rank it largest by share of the budget only since 1981-83.

      What the source says
      Largest tax increase by percentage of the budget since the 1981-83 biennium
      The Budgets, Operating
  15. FactHub dataset Size of Washington's largest state tax packages, 1981-2025

    • Tables: packages, cpi

      Saved analysis real-by-session

    • Tables: packages

      Saved analysis share-by-session

    • But he ended up passing the largest tax increase in state history and a big new tax on gas and diesel.
      David Boze, Communications and strategy director, Washington Policy Center, · In the dataset
    • Largest tax increase by percentage of the budget since the 1981-83 biennium
      Washington State Senate Republican Caucus, Minority caucus of the Washington State Senate, · In the dataset
  16. FactHub chart wa-tax-packages-real-dollars
  17. FactHub chart wa-tax-packages-share-of-revenue

Update history 2 changes, last

  1. Initial version.
  2. Before publication: answered auditor findings. Rated claim reworded to the 2025 package; confidence lowered to Moderate; added the two-year Legislature comparison (1981-82 roughly ties in 2025 dollars); 2025 figures now quoted bill by bill from the budget notes; removed figures without a cited quote.

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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ClaimReview","url":"https://facthub.org/n/article/wa-2025-largest-tax-increase/2","datePublished":"2026-11-03","dateModified":"2026-11-03","author":{"@type":"Organization","name":"FactHub","url":"https://facthub.org/"},"claimReviewed":"Washington\u0027s 2025 tax package was the largest tax increase in state history.","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","alternateName":"Mostly true"},"image":"https://facthub.org/node-assets-v2/article/wa-2025-largest-tax-increase/2/capitol/social-1200x630.jpg"}

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Technical details: node handle article:wa-2025-largest-tax-increase