As fall settles in across Pierce County, the business community is gaining clarity and confidence. On October 16, the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County (EDB) hosted the South Sound Business Tax Briefing: Navigating Federal, State & Local Tax Changes, drawing more than 60 attendees from across the region.

Held in partnership with the Association of Washington Business, City of Lakewood, City of Tacoma, Pierce County Economic Development, the Washington Small Business Development Center (SBDC), the Washington State Department of Revenue (DOR), Weinand & Associates, and WorkForce Central, the virtual event brought together business owners, accountants, and policymakers to prepare for the year ahead.

Featured Speakers

• Mayor Jason Whalen, City of Lakewood — Welcome remarks and local perspective on supporting South Sound businesses.
• Dave Prusaitis, CPA, Weinand & Associates — Federal tax updates, deductions, and year-end planning strategies, including insights on the new One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
• Ann Zimmerman, Business Advisor, Washington SBDC — Cash-flow management, recordkeeping, and financial readiness for tax season.
• Quinn Dickason, Tax Specialist, Washington State Department of Revenue — State tax changes, B&O updates, and resources to support compliance.
• Moderator: Maddie Merton, Vice President of Business Retention & Expansion, EDB — Introductions and facilitated discussion.

Special thanks to Sara Garner from the Pierce County Economic Development team for managing the live Q&A and supporting the event behind the scenes.

What We Learned

Federal Updates & the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA): Weinand & Associates provided an overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act of 2025, which makes many key provisions of the Tax Cuts & Jobs Act permanent. Highlights include higher standard deductions, clarified bonus depreciation and Section 179 expensing, and adjustments to the state-and-local-tax (SALT) deduction cap. These changes reduce uncertainty and allow for more confident long-term planning around capital investment, pass-through income, and cash-flow forecasting. Advisors encouraged clients to revisit equipment purchases and entity structures now that many provisions are fixed into law.

Small-Business Perspective: The Washington SBDC emphasized that strong cash-flow management and accurate recordkeeping are the foundation of tax readiness — and encouraged business owners to treat tax planning as a year-round discipline.

State Updates: The Washington State Department of Revenue outlined key 2025 changes under ESSB 5814 that broaden the retail sales tax to include new service categories such as IT and technical support, custom website development, advertising services, and temporary staffing. DOR also highlighted its online industry guides and interim guidance to help business owners prepare for the October 1, 2025, effective date.

Why It Matters for South Sound Businesses

Events like this demonstrate the strength of regional collaboration — connecting local governments, state agencies, and private advisors to equip employers with actionable insight. As Mayor Jason Whalen noted, when businesses are informed and confident, our communities grow stronger. Proactive tax strategy helps companies focus on growth — hiring, innovation, and investment — rather than last-minute compliance challenges.

Next Steps for Business Owners

• Start your year-end checklist: Review deductions and documentation now with your accountant or advisor.
• Schedule an SBDC session: Access no-cost, confidential advising to strengthen financial systems and improve profitability.
• Explore DOR resources: Take advantage of free webinars, industry guides, and tax-rate updates available at wa.gov.
• Stay connected with EDB: We’ll continue to host briefings, share funding opportunities, and advocate for a business-friendly Pierce County.

Together, we’re building a stronger, better-informed South Sound business community.

— The EDB Team