The state of Washington and the Yakama Nation have agreed on a new and improved way to collect fuel taxes at gas stations on the reservation. It’s actually an old/new system — one that’s in place with 18 other tribal governments in the state but new to the Yakamas — and the state’s history with it enhances the prospect that it will be more fair to the governments, gas station operators and consumers.

Tribal members who buy fuel on the reservation are exempt from paying the state’s fuel taxes. Under the agreement, the tribe will pay the state’s fuel tax upfront when bulk fuel is purchased for distribution to tribal stations. After that, station owners may submit sales records, and the state Department of Licensing will refund 75 percent of the tax to the tribal government.

This setup replaces a convoluted system that dates back to 1994. Under that agreement, tribal gas stations paid 25 percent of the state taxes when they purchased fuel. But they had to keep track of transactions and pay the state additional taxes if purchases by nontribal members made up more than 25 percent of sales. If such purchases fell below the 25 percent threshold, gas station owners could apply for refunds.