Washington state’s capital gains tax raised over $1 billion for investments in child care and early learning, public schools, and school construction in the first two years. In the first two years, the capital gains tax paid for $386 million in dedicated revenue for child care and early learning programs and 171 school construction projects.

The increased early learning investments—from a tax paid exclusively by the wealthiest Washingtonians—is equivalent to $833 for every child aged 0 to 5 in Washington state. It pays for reduced child care copays, expanded pre-kindergarten, and a boost in services for special needs.

Below is an interactive map showing the impact of the capital gains tax for each Washington county.

Data notes:

• Data point 1: Estimated Children Served through WCCC and ECEAP From Capital Gains Tax Revenue, FY 23
• Data point 2: Estimated Child Care Provider Grants Funded Through Capital Gains Tax, FY 23
• Data point 3: Number of School Construction Projects Funded by Capital Gains Tax, FY 23-25
• Data point 4: Estimated School Construction Project Funding from Capital Gains Tax, FY 23-25
• Data point 5: Estimated Jobs Lost Per Year If Capital Gains Tax Were Eliminated
• Data point 6: Number of Taxpayers Who Paid Capital Gains Tax in FY 23

A complete list of school construction projects supported by capital gains tax revenue can be found here.

Additional data points available include:

• Estimated School Construction Project Funding from Capital Gains Tax, FY 23-25
• Name of Largest School Construction Project Funded Through Capital Gains Tax Revenue
• Estimated Loss in Personal Income if Capital Gains Tax Were Eliminated
• Estimated Reduction in GDP if Capital Gains Tax Were Eliminated

If you have questions about the information in the map or would like to access the additional data points, please contact bnpinfo@budgetandpolicy.org.

Definitions

Working Connections Child Care (WCCC) is a subsidy program that helps families with children pay for child care to find jobs, keep their jobs, and get better jobs.

Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) is Washington’s pre-kindergarten program that prepares 3- and 4-year-old children from families with the fewest opportunities for success in school and life.

Capital gains are profits people receive from the sale of corporate stocks, bonds, and other high-end financial assets. For questions about how the capital gains tax credit works, check out our frequently asked questions.