Washington's statewide sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your actual rate depends on local taxes added on top

Washington has no income tax, so the state relies on sales tax to fund schools, roads, and services. The state sales tax rate is 6.5 percent, but most cities and counties add their own local sales tax on top of that. Your total rate — what you actually pay at checkout — ranges from 6.5 percent in a few rural areas to over 10 percent in some cities. The rate that applies is determined by where the sale happens, not where you live.

When you buy something in Washington, the seller charges the tax rate for that specific location. If you buy groceries in Seattle, you pay Seattle's combined rate. If you drive to a neighboring county to shop, you pay that county's rate instead. Online purchases are more complicated: if the seller has a physical location in Washington or meets certain sales thresholds, they must charge Washington tax based on your delivery address.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington's state sales tax is 6.5 percent, but local cities and counties add additional taxes that raise your total rate to between 6.5 and over 10 percent.
  • The tax rate that applies is based on where the purchase occurs or where the item is delivered, not where you live.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and some medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Washington.
  • You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website or asking a local business.

How local taxes stack on top of the state rate

Washington cities and counties can impose their own sales tax on top of the 6.5 percent state rate. Most areas add between 0.5 and 3.5 percent in local tax, though some cities add more. For example, Seattle's combined rate is 10.25 percent (6.5 percent state plus 3.75 percent local), while Spokane's is 8.9 percent (6.5 percent state plus 2.4 percent local). Rural areas with no local tax stay at exactly 6.5 percent.

Local tax revenue goes to cities and counties for schools, public safety, transportation, and other services. Because each jurisdiction sets its own rate, the total you pay can shift significantly if you cross a city or county line. A purchase in one neighborhood might be taxed at 8.5 percent, while the same purchase a few blocks away in a different city could be 9.5 percent.

What items are exempt from sales tax

Not everything sold in Washington is subject to sales tax. Groceries — food you prepare at home — are exempt. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. However, prepared food, restaurant meals, and hot food are taxed. Candy and soft drinks are also taxed, even though they are food items.

Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax when dispensed by a licensed pharmacist with a valid prescription. Over-the-counter medications like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed. Medical equipment prescribed by a doctor — such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, or oxygen equipment — may be exempt, but the rules vary by item. Clothing and footwear are generally taxed, though some states exempt them; Washington does not.

Services are usually not taxed in Washington, though there are exceptions. Haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing are not subject to sales tax. However, some services bundled with products — like installation or delivery — may be taxed depending on how the seller structures the charge.

Finding your exact local sales tax rate

Your exact rate depends on your address. The Washington Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website where you can enter your street address and see your combined state and local rate. You can also call your city or county assessor's office, or simply ask a cashier at a local store what rate applies in that location.

If you shop online, the rate applied depends on where the item is being delivered. If you order something to be shipped to your Seattle address, the seller charges Seattle's 10.25 percent rate. If the same seller ships to a rural area with only the state rate, they charge 6.5 percent instead. This is why your receipt may show a different tax amount than you expected if you ordered from out of state or had an item shipped to a different address.

Sales tax on vehicles and major purchases

Vehicle purchases are subject to sales tax in Washington, calculated on the purchase price of the car. If you buy a car for $20,000, you pay sales tax on that full amount at your local rate. However, if you trade in another vehicle, you typically pay tax only on the difference between the new car's price and the trade-in value — not on the full purchase price. This is called the trade-in credit.

Real estate — buying a house or land — is not subject to sales tax. Instead, real estate transfers are subject to a real estate excise tax, which is a separate tax handled through the county assessor's office at the time of sale. The rate varies by county but is typically between 1.1 and 1.75 percent of the sale price.

How to estimate your total cost before checkout

To estimate what you will pay in tax, multiply the item's price by your local tax rate. If an item costs $100 and your local rate is 9.5 percent, the tax is $9.50, for a total of $109.50. Most receipts show the tax amount separately, so you can verify it matches your local rate.

If you are unsure of your rate, round up. If you know your rate is somewhere between 8 and 9 percent, using 9 percent as your estimate will keep you from running short at checkout. Many people also keep their receipts to track actual tax paid, which can be useful if you are budgeting or reconciling expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Washington?

No. Groceries — unprepared food you cook at home — are exempt from sales tax. This includes produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Prepared food, restaurant meals, hot food, candy, and soft drinks are taxed.

What is the sales tax rate in my city?

Use the Washington Department of Revenue's sales tax rate lookup tool on its website, or call your city or county assessor's office. Rates range from 6.5 percent in rural areas to over 10 percent in some cities.

Do I pay sales tax when I buy something online?

If the seller has a physical location in Washington or meets certain sales thresholds, they must charge sales tax based on your delivery address. If they do not, you may owe use tax on the purchase, though this is rarely enforced for individual consumers.

Is sales tax the same everywhere in Washington?

No. The state rate is 6.5 percent, but cities and counties add local tax on top. Your total rate depends on where the purchase occurs or where the item is delivered, not where you live.

Do I pay sales tax when I trade in a car?

You pay sales tax on the difference between the new car's price and your trade-in value, not on the full purchase price. This is called the trade-in credit and reduces the amount of tax you owe.