BAAY is now required to collect and remit sales tax (9% combined rate) on tuition for our programs that take place during the school year. This is a result of the Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5814 (ESSB 5814), passed by the state legislature in 2025.
Many arts organizations are advocating for revisions to the bill because of the adverse, and seemingly unintentional, impact it will have on the cultural sector. We at BAAY shares these concerns. We understand the additional strain this will put on families and, as a result, BAAY’s financial aid program.
How YOU can help
We invite our community to make their voices heard regarding the impact of ESSB 5814. Please call or email your lawmakers ASAP. Advocates are meeting with legislators in Olympia the first week of February, so the more noise we can make before then, the better chances we’ll have for a change.
STEP 1: Visit https://app.leg.wa.gov/districtfinder, enter your home address, select “Legislative” under Map District Type, and then click “Find my district.”
STEP 2: View your district lawmakers under “State District ## Legislators” and click on each of their names.
STEP 3: Use the contact information provided (i.e. phone numbers or the yellow email buttons) to advocate for a revision to the bill. Here is some suggested language that you’re welcome to use:
Bellingham Arts Academy for Youth (BAAY) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a vital third space for children in my community. Through their programs, they provide essential creative growth and community engagement opportunities for hundreds of kids every year.
ESSB 5814 puts additional financial strain on families who already struggle to afford enrichment for their kids. BAAY has a generous financial aid program, but we are concerned that this will not be able to keep pace with the new challenges that this bill presents for access. I believe that ESSB 5814 should be revised to exempt youth arts program tuition from the newly imposed retail sales tax.
Thank you for your support! Feel free to email our Executive Director at director@baay.org with any questions or thoughts.