Washington just changed
the rules.
Have you run your numbers?
SB 6346 introduces a 9.9% income tax on household income above $1 million, effective January 1, 2028. Combined with the state's capital gains excise tax and one of the lowest estate tax exemptions in the country, the financial calculus for high-net-worth Washington residents has shifted materially.
1 Source: Washington State Senate Bill 6346, passed March 11, 2026. Effective January 1, 2028; first returns due 2029. 2 Source: Tax Foundation, State Estate and Inheritance Taxes (2025). Washington's exemption of approximately $3.0 million (inflation-indexed) is the second-lowest among states with an estate tax. Data subject to change; verify current figures with a qualified tax professional.
This isn't a reason to panic. It's a reason to plan.
I've been tracking this legislation from its earliest drafts and modeling the impact for clients across a range of income levels, estate sizes, and life circumstances. The question I'm fielding more than any other right now is some version of: "Brock, should I be thinking about leaving Washington?"
For some clients, the numbers make a relocation analysis worth pursuing seriously. For others, the answer is proactive estate planning, entity restructuring, or income timing strategies that potentially reduce exposure without uprooting a life. For still others, the right answer may be to stay — and pay — with a clear-eyed understanding of what that costs.
What I don't recommend is arriving at January 2028 having never had the conversation. Use the estimator below as a starting point.
What this tool models
Income tax — WA's new 9.9% on income above $1M vs. each destination state's rate
Capital gains tax — WA's 9.9% excise on gains above $278K, compared by state
Sales tax — Applied to your annual spending at statewide average rates
Property tax — Based on your home value at each state's average effective rate
Estate tax exposure — WA brackets vs. destination state (OR has estate tax; others don't)
Break-even analysis — How many years until tax savings cover transition costs
Washington State Relocation Tax Estimator
Enter your numbers below and select a destination state to compare your full annual tax burden side by side.
Your financial profile
| Annual household income | $ |
| Annual long-term capital gains | $ |
| Annual household spending | $ |
| Primary residence value | $ |
| Total estate value | $ |
| Transition & moving costs | $ |
Select a destination state
Washington — current law
Nevada
Why work with Brock Bennion?
I bring a distinct combination of analytical rigor and genuine Pacific Northwest perspective to every client relationship.
Scientific Approach to Planning
With a PhD in Immunology from Washington University in St. Louis, I apply a data-first, hypothesis-driven framework to financial analysis — modeling scenarios before drawing conclusions.
Washington Expertise
I live in Gig Harbor and work in Tacoma, teach financial literacy throughout the South Sound, and have spent years tracking Washington's evolving tax landscape — from the 2022 capital gains tax to SB 6346.
Independent, Fiduciary-Focused in Advisory Relationships
As an independent wealth strategist at Kimball Creek Partners, I'm not beholden to product quotas or proprietary platforms. My recommendations are built around your situation — nothing else.
The numbers are a starting point.
The conversation is where it gets real.
I've built the analytical frameworks and run the state-by-state comparisons. When you sit down with me, you're not starting from scratch — you're getting answers tailored to your household. Whether you leave with a plan of action or simply confidence, every conversation is grounded in data and delivered without pressure.
Ready to understand your specific Washington tax exposure before 2028?
Schedule a conversation Or give us a call →