Washington’s New 9.9% Tax on Income Over $1,000,000: Why More Washington Residents Are Looking at Lake Tahoe, Nevada

By Cole Mizak, Compass | #1 Incline Village Real Estate Agent

If you live in Washington and earn more than $1,000,000 annually, the tax conversation just changed in a big way.

Washington lawmakers are advancing a new measure that would impose a 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income above $1,000,000. The proposal, ESSB 6346, has now passed the House on a 51-46 vote and returns to the Senate for further action before it could reach the governor. That means many high-income Washington residents, business owners, executives, and investors are taking a closer look at what life could look like across the border in a state with no personal income tax.

I’m Cole Mizak with Compass, and as an Incline Village real estate agent, I work with buyers who are not just looking for a home. They’re looking for a smarter long-term lifestyle decision. For many of them, Lake Tahoe, Nevada, and especially Incline Village, stands out immediately.

Why Incline Village, Nevada Is Getting So Much Attention

Incline Village offers something rare. You get the beauty, privacy, and prestige of Lake Tahoe, but on the Nevada side of the state line. For buyers concerned about Washington’s proposed new tax structure, that matters.

The revised Washington bill would apply a 9.9% levy to adjusted gross income above $1,000,000, and supporters describe it as a tax aimed at the state’s highest earners. Critics see it as a major policy shift for a state that has long gone without a personal income tax. Either way, the proposal has become a serious planning issue for affluent households.

Nevada remains attractive because it does not impose a state personal income tax on individuals, which is one reason buyers from Washington are increasingly exploring a move. For many, Incline Village is the first place they look because it combines that tax advantage with a luxury mountain-lake lifestyle that is hard to match.

Why Washington Buyers Are Searching for Incline Village Homes for Sale

When buyers from Washington call me, they usually start with one question: “What would it look like to establish a real life in Nevada?”

That question leads them to Incline Village homes for sale because Incline Village offers more than scenery. It offers:

• A Nevada address on Lake Tahoe

• Luxury homes with privacy and long-term value

• Access to skiing, boating, golf, hiking, and year-round recreation

• A community that feels established, refined, and low-key

• Easy access to Reno-Tahoe International Airport

For some buyers, this is about relocation. For others, it’s about creating options. Either way, the search often starts with a trusted Incline Village realtor who understands both the market and the bigger picture behind the move.

Why High Earners Are Re-Evaluating Washington

This proposed tax is not a small policy tweak. It is a signal that Washington’s tax landscape may be shifting.

According to coverage of the bill, Democrats describe it as a way to raise revenue while funding tax relief and affordability programs, while opponents argue it opens the door to a broader income tax fight in Washington. The House passage keeps the proposal alive, and that alone is enough to get many high earners thinking now, not later.

That’s why more buyers are exploring Nevada residency before making their next major housing move. And when they want luxury, access, and long-term desirability, they often end up focused on Incline Village.

What Makes Incline Village Different

There are other parts of Nevada. There is only one Incline Village.

As an Incline Village real estate agent, I can tell you buyers are drawn here because the community offers a rare mix of tax appeal, natural beauty, and luxury housing inventory. Whether you want a lakeview estate, a golf course home, a newer mountain-modern property, or a low-maintenance lock-and-leave residence, Incline Village gives you options that feel both practical and aspirational.

That is why serious buyers searching for an Incline Village realtor or reviewing Incline Village homes for sale are often doing much more than browsing. They are evaluating a major life decision.

Why Work With a Local Incline Village Realtor

Relocating from Washington to Nevada is not just about buying the prettiest home online. It’s about choosing the right neighborhood, understanding the Nevada side of Tahoe, comparing off-market and on-market opportunities, and making sure the property fits how you want to live.

That’s where local knowledge matters.

As a top Incline Village real estate agent with Compass, I help buyers navigate the details that don’t show up in a quick online search. That includes location, privacy, access, remodel potential, lot quality, and long-term resale strength.

If you’re seriously considering a move, you need more than listings. You need strategy.

The Bottom Line

Washington’s proposed 9.9% tax on adjusted gross income above $1,000,000 has now passed the House, keeping the measure very much alive in Olympia. For high-income residents, that is prompting a fresh look at where they want to live, invest, and build their future.

For many of those buyers, Lake Tahoe, Nevada rises to the top of the list. And within Tahoe, Incline Village continues to stand out for its lifestyle, prestige, and exceptional real estate.

If you’re starting that conversation, working with an experienced Incline Village realtor can help you move from speculation to a real plan.

Call to Action

If you’re a Washington resident exploring Nevada residency and reviewing Incline Village homes for sale, I’d be glad to help.

I’m Cole Mizak, a top Incline Village real estate agent with Compass. I help buyers from Washington and beyond find the right property, the right neighborhood, and the right approach for making a move to Lake Tahoe, Nevada.

Call or text: 775-225-2549
Email: [email protected]