Washington's statewide sales tax is 6.5 percent

Washington has no state income tax, but it funds state services through sales tax instead. The statewide base rate is 6.5 percent, applied to most retail purchases. However, your total sales tax bill depends on where you buy — cities and counties add their own local taxes on top of the state rate, so the final amount you pay ranges from 6.5 percent to over 10 percent depending on your location.

The state collects this tax at the point of sale. When you buy something at a store, the cashier or checkout system calculates the tax based on the address where the transaction happens, not where you live. Online purchases are taxed the same way if the seller has a physical presence in Washington or meets certain sales thresholds.

Some items are exempt from sales tax entirely — groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment are the most common. Other items are taxed at a lower rate or only partially taxed. Understanding what is and is not taxed can affect your household budget, especially for regular purchases.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington's state sales tax rate is 6.5 percent, but local city and county taxes add 0 to 4 percent more, making your actual rate between 6.5 and over 10 percent.
  • Groceries, prescription drugs, and most medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Washington.
  • The tax rate that applies is determined by the location where you make the purchase, not where you live.
  • Some services and prepared foods are taxed differently than retail goods, so the rate may vary by item type.

How local taxes stack on top of the state rate

Washington cities and counties each set their own local sales tax rates, which stack on top of the 6.5 percent state rate. A city might add 1.5 percent, and the county might add another 0.5 percent, bringing your total to 8.5 percent. Some areas have higher local rates — certain cities in King County (which includes Seattle) charge combined rates above 10 percent.

You can find your exact local rate by entering your address into the Washington Department of Revenue's tax rate lookup tool on their website, or by asking a retailer in your area. The rate can change if you cross a city or county line, even by a few blocks. If you live near a border, you might pay different amounts depending on which side of the line you shop on.

Local tax revenue goes to cities and counties for schools, roads, and public services. The state rate goes to the state general fund. Both are collected together at checkout, but they fund different budgets.

What is and is not subject to sales tax

Groceries and food for home consumption are not taxed. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, frozen dinners, and canned goods. However, prepared food — restaurant meals, deli hot foods, and food eaten on premises — is taxed at the full rate.

Prescription medications are exempt. Over-the-counter drugs like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed. Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and diabetic supplies, is typically exempt, but the rules vary by item. If you are unsure whether a specific medical device qualifies, ask the retailer or contact the Department of Revenue.

Clothing and shoes are taxed in Washington, unlike some other states. There is no clothing exemption. Utilities — electricity, natural gas, and water — are not taxed. Gasoline is taxed, but the tax is included in the pump price and is separate from sales tax; it is an excise tax instead.

Services are generally not taxed unless they result in a physical product. Haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing labor are not taxed. However, if a service includes materials or goods — like a repair that includes parts — only the parts are taxed, not the labor.

Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases

If you order from an online retailer that has a warehouse, office, or other physical location in Washington, sales tax is charged at checkout. If the retailer does not have a physical presence in Washington but meets a sales threshold (currently $1.5 million in annual sales to Washington residents in the prior year), they must also collect and remit Washington sales tax.

Most large online retailers — Amazon, Walmart, Target — collect Washington sales tax because they meet the threshold or have physical operations in the state. Smaller sellers may not, and in those cases, Washington residents are technically responsible for paying "use tax" on their own tax returns, though few do. Use tax is the same rate as sales tax and applies to items purchased outside the state and brought into Washington.

If you buy something in another state and bring it home to Washington, you do not owe sales tax at the time of purchase, but you may owe use tax. In practice, use tax is rarely enforced for individual purchases. However, if you buy a vehicle or other high-value item out of state, you will owe tax when you register it in Washington.

Special sales tax rates and situations

Prepared food and restaurants are taxed at the full rate. This includes coffee shops, fast food, and any food meant to be eaten immediately. Grocery store deli items that are hot or ready-to-eat are also taxed, even though the same item cold would not be.

Alcohol and tobacco are subject to sales tax plus additional excise taxes. The excise tax is separate from sales tax and is set by the state. Beer, wine, and spirits all have different excise tax rates. Cigarettes and vaping products also carry excise taxes on top of sales tax.

Motor vehicles are taxed on the full purchase price. If you trade in a vehicle, the tax is calculated on the net price (purchase price minus trade-in value). You pay sales tax when you register the vehicle with the Department of Licensing, not at the dealership.

Rental cars are subject to sales tax, plus a separate rental car tax. The rental car tax is an additional 5.9 percent on top of sales tax, making the total tax on a rental significantly higher than on a retail purchase.

How to find your exact local sales tax rate

The Washington Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website. You enter your street address, city, and zip code, and the tool returns your exact combined state and local rate. This is the most accurate way to know what you will pay.

You can also call the Department of Revenue's tax assistance line or visit a local tax office in person. Retailers in your area can also tell you the rate — they calculate it every day. If you are planning a large purchase and want to know the exact tax, asking a local business is often faster than looking it up online.

Tax rates can change when cities or counties adjust their local rates, usually once or twice a year. If you are budgeting for a major purchase, check the current rate a few days before you buy, since rates do shift.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Washington?

No. Groceries — food you buy to cook and eat at home — are exempt from sales tax. This includes produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Prepared food, restaurant meals, and hot deli items are taxed at the full rate.

What is the difference between sales tax and excise tax?

Sales tax is a percentage of the purchase price and applies to most goods. Excise tax is a specific tax on certain items like gasoline, alcohol, and cigarettes, and is often included in the price you see. Both are collected, but they fund different programs and are calculated differently.

If I buy something online from out of state, do I owe Washington sales tax?

If the retailer has a physical presence in Washington or meets the sales threshold, they collect tax at checkout. If they do not, you technically owe use tax on your own return, but it is rarely enforced for individual purchases. For high-value items like vehicles, you will owe tax when you register in Washington.

Why is my sales tax different from the store next door?

Local tax rates vary by city and county. Two stores on opposite sides of a city line may charge different rates. Use the Department of Revenue's lookup tool with your exact address to find your rate.

Are clothes taxed in Washington?

Yes. Washington taxes clothing and shoes at the full sales tax rate. Unlike some states, there is no clothing exemption in Washington.