Millionaire Rick Steves Celebrates Washington's New 9.9% Tax

When most people face a six-figure tax increase, they hire accountants to avoid it. Rick Steves is throwing a celebration instead.

The beloved travel guru, whose company generates $100 million annually, just praised Washington's new "millionaires tax" in a viral Facebook post. Starting in 2029, he and roughly 30,000 other high earners will pay 9.9% on every dollar above $1 million in annual income.

Steves calls it "essentially free money for all Washingtonians." He's not exaggerating about the need.

Washington currently has the nation's second-most regressive tax code, where the poorest residents pay 15.7% of their income in sales and property taxes while the wealthiest pay just 4.4%. The new law flips that script, generating nearly $4 billion annually while the state's other 8 million residents pay zero.

For Steves, the math is simple and personal. He's been voluntarily donating over $100,000 each year to his local arts center and symphony ever since tax cuts decimated community programs. He describes 15 years of "great joy" from these contributions, but admits it's felt "a little lonely."

Now he won't be alone. Every Washington millionaire will join him in funding schools, healthcare, and programs supporting the one-third of state households living paycheck to paycheck.

The Ripple Effect

Steves shared a lesson from decades of global travel: even if you're "motivated only by greed," being filthy rich in an unequal society isn't pleasant. It's not where you want to raise kids.

He points to European countries with equitable tax systems, where citizens report higher contentment than Americans despite lower individual wealth. Strong social programs create better communities for everyone, including the wealthy.

The response has been overwhelming. Thousands commented on his post, with many saying his perspective changed their own views on taxation. Some called him a model of "true patriotism" for prioritizing community over personal wealth accumulation.

His reasoning comes down to three principles: biblical responsibility ("to whom much is given, much will be required"), European-style equity, and simple common sense for anyone "with a heart for the public good."

The impact goes beyond dollars. When someone earning over $19,000 weekly celebrates paying more taxes, it challenges America's toxic relationship with wealth. Steves proves that prosperity doesn't require selfishness.

His final reminder cuts through every objection: "Shrouds have no pockets." You can't take it with you, especially if you've abandoned your neighbors along the way.

Washington's bold experiment starts in 2029, but Steves is already showing what's possible when wealth comes with a conscience.