Crosscut Now
Feb. 2, 2022 - Some WA farmers markets could be at risk
2/2/2022 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
WA farmers markets may get displaced by obscure tax break expiring.
If the Legislature doesn't intervene, nonprofits and churches won't be able to host weekly farmers markets anymore without losing their tax-exempt status.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS
Crosscut Now
Feb. 2, 2022 - Some WA farmers markets could be at risk
2/2/2022 | 1m 15sVideo has Closed Captions
If the Legislature doesn't intervene, nonprofits and churches won't be able to host weekly farmers markets anymore without losing their tax-exempt status.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Farmer's markets are a staple of Northwest living.
Washingtonians have a long tradition of farm-to-table commerce, but a handful of markets, including those in Poulsbo, Friday Harbor and Bellevue, may have to move because of a state tax break that has changed.
Some farmer's markets are held on property owned by churches and nonprofits who typically can't engage in business activity without risking their tax exempt status.
The legislature made an exception in 2010 that let nonprofits host without taking a property tax hit.
That exception expired at the end of 2020.
The Bellevue farmer's market is held on the 11-acre property of the Bellevue Presbyterian Church.
According to a church official, the church saves hundreds of thousands of dollars a year by not paying state or local property taxes, and the church couldn't host the market unless the tax exception continues.
A permanent fix is being considered by the current legislature.
I'm Stephen Hegg.
Find nonprofit Northwest news every day on Crosscut.com.
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Crosscut Now is a local public television program presented by Cascade PBS