Yes, Washington State Has Sales Tax

Washington State charges sales tax on most retail purchases. The state rate is 6.5 percent, but the total tax you pay depends on your city and county — local taxes stack on top of the state rate, so your actual rate ranges from 6.5 percent to 10.25 percent depending on where you buy.

Washington has no income tax, which is why the state relies on sales tax for revenue. That means every purchase you make in a store, online (if shipped to Washington), or at a restaurant is subject to tax unless it falls into a specific exemption.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington's base sales tax rate is 6.5 percent, but local city and county taxes add to this, making your total rate between 6.5 and 10.25 percent.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Washington.
  • Online purchases are taxed if they ship to a Washington address, regardless of where the seller is located.
  • Restaurants and prepared foods are taxed, but raw ingredients you buy at a grocery store are not.

How Local Taxes Change Your Total Rate

The 6.5 percent state rate is the floor. On top of that, cities and counties add their own local sales tax. King County (Seattle) adds 0.325 percent, Pierce County (Tacoma) adds 0.092 percent, and Snohomish County (Everett) adds 0.171 percent. Some cities add additional tax on top of the county rate.

This means a purchase in Seattle is taxed at 10.25 percent (state 6.5 + King County 0.325 + city 3.425), while the same purchase in a smaller town might be taxed at 7.5 percent or 8 percent. You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website or by asking a cashier.

What Is and Isn't Taxed

Groceries — fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods — are not taxed in Washington. Prepared foods are taxed: a sandwich from a deli counter is taxed, but a loaf of bread from the shelf is not. Hot foods, foods sold by the piece, and foods meant to be eaten immediately are all taxed.

Prescription medications are exempt. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed. Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor — wheelchairs, hearing aids, diabetic supplies — is exempt, but you usually need a prescription or doctor's letter to prove the exemption at checkout.

Clothing and shoes under $175 are exempt from sales tax in Washington. A pair of jeans for $100 is not taxed. A winter coat for $200 is taxed on the amount over $175. This exemption does not apply to accessories like hats, belts, or gloves, which are always taxed.

Online Purchases and Out-of-State Sellers

If you order something online and it ships to a Washington address, you owe sales tax on it — even if the seller is in another state or country. Large retailers like Amazon collect and pay this tax automatically. Smaller sellers sometimes do not, and in those cases, Washington residents are technically responsible for reporting the tax owed on their state tax return, though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases.

If you order something to be shipped out of state, you do not owe Washington sales tax. Some people use out-of-state addresses to avoid tax, but doing so intentionally is tax evasion and can result in penalties.

Tax on Services and Rentals

Most services are not taxed in Washington — haircuts, car repairs, plumbing, and legal advice are all tax-free. However, some services are taxed: car rentals are taxed at the full sales tax rate, and some counties tax hotel rooms.

Rental of tangible goods — renting a car, renting tools from a hardware store, renting a party tent — is taxed. The tax is calculated on the rental price, not the purchase price of the item.

Resale Certificates and Business Purchases

If you are a business buying inventory to resell, you can provide a resale certificate to avoid paying sales tax on your purchase. The tax is then paid by the customer when they buy the finished product. You must register with the Washington Department of Revenue and obtain a resale permit to use this certificate.

If you are buying something for personal use, you cannot use a resale certificate. The exemption is only for goods you intend to resell in the same form or as part of a finished product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on used items?

Sales tax applies to used goods sold by businesses — a used car from a dealership is taxed, and a used book from a bookstore is taxed. Items sold between individuals (private sales) are generally not taxed, though this depends on the context and how the sale is structured.

What about tax-free holidays?

Washington does not have an annual sales tax holiday. Some states offer back-to-school or holiday shopping periods with no tax, but Washington does not. The state does exempt certain items year-round, like groceries and prescription medications, but there is no special tax-free shopping period.

Can I get a refund if I paid sales tax by mistake?

If you paid tax on an exempt item — for example, a prescription medication that was incorrectly taxed — you can contact the store and ask for a refund. Most stores will refund the tax if you have your receipt and can show the item should have been exempt. For larger amounts, you can file a claim with the Washington Department of Revenue.

Is sales tax the same in every Washington city?

No. Each city and county sets its own local tax rate on top of the state rate. Seattle has a higher total rate than Spokane or Bellingham. Your exact rate depends on your city and county. You can look up your rate by zip code on the Department of Revenue website.

Do I owe sales tax on items I buy outside Washington and bring home?

If you buy something in Oregon or another state and bring it to Washington, you do not owe Washington sales tax on it — you already paid tax (or no tax) where you bought it. However, if you order something online to an out-of-state address and then have it shipped to Washington later, you owe Washington tax on it.