The proposed "head tax" would apply only to those companies with $20 million or more annually in taxable gross receipts as measured under the City’s Business and Occupation tax. The city estimates that will be 500 businesses, including Amazon. Those businesses would be charged 26 cents per hour per employee up to $500 maximum per employee per year. Amazon would pay more than $20 million under the proposal, according to the Associated Press.
The tax is expected to raise $75 million per year, which the city says 75 percent would go toward affordable housing.
"From our small businesses to our start-ups, our jobs are critical to our City's economy, budget, and growth. Our workers add to the vitality of our region and support our arts, cultural, and non-profit community. I'm deeply concerned about the impact this decision will have on a large range of jobs - from our building trades, to restaurant workers, to nurses, manufacturing jobs and tech workers," Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a statement released to the media. "At the same time, our City must urgently address our homelessness and affordability crisis and lift up those who have been left behind. I fundamentally believe we can do both by working together. In the upcoming days, I will be bringing together Councilmembers as well business, labor and our community leaders to work together to see how we might forge common ground in dealing with our challenges while keeping jobs."
Amazon fires back at Seattle's proposed head tax, pauses construction projects
I'd Like to See Amazon Pull Out Completely
The tax is expected to raise $75 million per year, which the city says 75 percent would go toward affordable housing.
"From our small businesses to our start-ups, our jobs are critical to our City's economy, budget, and growth. Our workers add to the vitality of our region and support our arts, cultural, and non-profit community. I'm deeply concerned about the impact this decision will have on a large range of jobs - from our building trades, to restaurant workers, to nurses, manufacturing jobs and tech workers," Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan said in a statement released to the media. "At the same time, our City must urgently address our homelessness and affordability crisis and lift up those who have been left behind. I fundamentally believe we can do both by working together. In the upcoming days, I will be bringing together Councilmembers as well business, labor and our community leaders to work together to see how we might forge common ground in dealing with our challenges while keeping jobs."
Amazon fires back at Seattle's proposed head tax, pauses construction projects
I'd Like to See Amazon Pull Out Completely
