Sales tax increase pushes Washington state gold dealer to flee to Idaho

From the John Curley Show KIRO-FM97.3, Seattle Monday, April 6, 2026 A new 10.3% sales tax on purchases of gold and silver in Washington State went into effect on Jan. 1 following the passage of Senate Bill 5794. As a result, many gold and silver dealers have chosen to flee the state for greener pastures. Among them is Craig Rhyne, owner of Washington Gold Exchange, who packed up shop and is moving to Idaho. ... Dispatch continues below ... ... ADVERTISEMENT ... Fisher Precious Metals offers great prices with personal service from a family team Family-owned and operated Fisher Precious Metals is a great low-cost source for precious metals -- coins, rounds, and bars. But we also get you the highest prices available when you sell your precious metals.   Expect a personal approach with Fisher Precious Metals. You can always speak directly with the owners within 24 hours if not immediately. We provide you a team you can get to know and call at any time to discuss your investments with no pressure to buy. Check our Google reviews to see what our clients have to say: https://g.page/FisherPreciousMetals?share Contact us at 1-800-390-8576 or [email protected] or visit us here: https://fisherpreciousmetals.com/ Rhyne joined "The John Curley Show" on KIRO Newsradio to explain why he is making the move. He predicted more shops across the state will soon follow to escape what he calls Washington's "anti-business" tax structure. "I've got a new office in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and I'm looking for a house to move to," Rhyne said. "I'm sad. Born in Chehalis, love Washington, but we've seen the state taken over by progressives, and I don’t think they've ever signed the front of a check in their life.  "Which means they've never owned a business, and the legislature is anti-business, certainly anti-gold and silver business, and it has killed the whole industry in the state. Why pay 10.3% more for your gold and silver if I'm in Washington, rather than a dealer in Boise, Coeur d'Alene, or Oregon?". ... ... For the remainder of the report: https://mynorthwest.com/john-curley/washington-sales-tax-gold-silver/4225385 * * * Support GATA by purchasing Stuart Englert's "Rigged" "Rigged" is a concise explanation of government's currency market rigging policy and extensively credits GATA's work exposing it. Ten percent of sales proceeds are contributed to GATA. Buy a copy for $14.99 through Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Rigged-Exposing-Largest-Financial%20-History/dp/1651405204/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?keywords=rugged+stuart+englert&qid=1579708888&sr=8-2-fkmr1 * * * Help keep GATA going: GATA is a civil rights and educational organization based in the United States and tax-exempt under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. Its e-mail dispatches are free, and you can subscribe at: http://www.gata.org To contribute to GATA, please visit: http://www.gata.org/node/16 Donations of $500 or more will entitle the donor to a 1-ounce silver round commemorating GATA's work: https://www.gata.org/sites/default/files/GATA-silver-round-front.png