Seattle’s new regulations limiting a landlord’s ability to require certain financial obligations of commercial tenants operating in the City of Seattle have been codified in Chapter 6.104 of the Seattle Municipal Code (SMC). In short, the new regulations establish limits…
Read MoreOn December 12, 2023, the Seattle City Council passed at full council Council Bill 120643 to establish limits on certain financial obligations of commercial tenants that landlords may require in or as a condition of commercial leases in the City…
Read MoreWith property taxes on the rise in Washington state, many property owners are looking for creative ways to plan and utilize their land to reduce their tax burden. Washington’s Open Space Taxation Act, Chapter 84.34 RCW (the “Act”), enacted in…
Read MoreWashington Supreme Court Voids a Contractual One Year Limitations Period In a recent 5-4 decision, the Washington Supreme Court ruled that a 1-year contractual limitation period on a residential construction defect claim is unenforceable as “substantively unconscionable.” In the case,…
Read MoreAfter over fifty years without comprehensive revision, Washington has a new Nonprofit Corporation Act. Last year, the Washington Legislature adopted, and Governor Jay Inslee signed into law, a new Washington Nonprofit Corporation Act (“New Act”) replacing the old chapter of…
Read MoreIncorporating Lessons Learned The spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) and responsive government measures to reduce the spread and curb the impact of the virus have led to unprecedented questions regarding the enforceability of contractual obligations. Many issues regarding non-performance remain unresolved.…
Read MoreOn August 8, 2020, President Trump issued a Memorandum entitled “Deferring Payroll Tax Obligations in Light of the Ongoing COVID-19 Disaster,” directing the Secretary of the Treasury to defer the withholding, deposit, and payment of certain payroll taxes. On August…
Read MoreThe State of Washington imposes a real estate excise tax (REET) on the sale of real property. For many years, the REET was assessed at a flat rate of 1.28% at the state level, and local governments could also tax…
Read More529 plans are tax-advantaged savings plans that have traditionally been used by families to pay for their children’s college expenses. Contributions grow tax-deferred and may be withdrawn tax-free for qualifying expenses. These plans have always been a powerful planning tool…
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