Washington State Sales Tax Rate and What It Covers

Washington State has no income tax, but it does have a sales tax — a tax you pay when you buy most goods and some services. The state sales tax rate is 6.5 percent, but your total tax bill depends on where you live, because cities and counties add their own local taxes on top of the state rate.

Your actual sales tax rate ranges from 6.5 percent to over 10 percent depending on your location. For example, if you buy something in Seattle, you pay 10.25 percent total tax (6.5 percent state plus 3.75 percent local). If you buy the same item in a different county, the rate will be different. You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website.

Sales tax applies to most physical goods — clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture, and cars. It also applies to some services like haircuts, repairs, and installation work. However, certain items are exempt: prescription medications, most medical equipment, and some food items bought for home consumption are not taxed.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington State's base sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your total rate includes local taxes added by your city or county, making it higher depending on where you live.
  • Sales tax is added at the point of purchase for most goods and some services, and the seller collects it and sends it to the state.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and some medical equipment are not subject to sales tax in Washington.
  • Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may or may not have sales tax collected, depending on the seller's location and Washington's tax laws.

Local Sales Tax Rates by County and City

Every county in Washington adds its own sales tax on top of the state rate. Some cities add an additional tax as well. This means two people buying the same item in different parts of Washington will pay different amounts of tax.

King County (which includes Seattle) has a combined rate of 10.25 percent. Pierce County (Tacoma area) is 10.3 percent. Spokane County is 8.9 percent. Snohomish County is 10.25 percent. These rates change when cities or counties pass new tax measures, so the rate you pay today may not be the rate next year.

To find your exact rate, visit the Washington Department of Revenue website and use their sales tax rate lookup tool. Enter your address and it will show you the state rate, county rate, and any city rate that applies to your location. This is the most accurate way to know what you will pay before you make a purchase.

What Items Are Taxed and What Are Not

Most physical items you buy are subject to sales tax. This includes clothing, shoes, household goods, electronics, furniture, and vehicles. When you buy a car in Washington, sales tax is calculated on the purchase price and collected at the time of sale.

Some items are exempt from sales tax. Groceries and food items bought for home consumption are not taxed — this means milk, bread, vegetables, and meat at the grocery store have no sales tax. Prescription medications are also exempt. Medical equipment like wheelchairs, hearing aids, and oxygen equipment used by people with disabilities are not taxed. Durable medical equipment prescribed by a doctor is generally exempt.

Services are sometimes taxed and sometimes not. A haircut or salon service is taxed. Car repairs are taxed. Installation services are usually taxed. However, professional services like accounting, legal advice, and medical services are generally not subject to sales tax — you pay those fees without tax added.

How Sales Tax Is Calculated and Collected

When you buy something at a store, the cashier or checkout system calculates the sales tax based on your location and adds it to your bill. The tax is calculated on the purchase price of the item. If you buy a $100 item in Seattle, the store adds $10.25 in tax (10.25 percent of $100), and you pay $110.25 total.

The store collects this tax from you and holds it temporarily. The store then sends all the sales tax it collected to the Washington Department of Revenue, usually monthly or quarterly depending on how much tax the business collects. The state keeps the 6.5 percent portion and distributes the local portions to the appropriate cities and counties.

When you buy something online from a retailer based in Washington, the same tax is usually added to your order. If you buy from an out-of-state retailer, whether tax is added depends on that retailer's policies and whether they have a legal obligation to collect Washington sales tax. Large national retailers like Amazon typically collect Washington sales tax on orders shipped to Washington addresses.

Sales Tax on Vehicles and Major Purchases

When you buy a car, truck, or motorcycle in Washington, sales tax is calculated on the full purchase price. If you buy a vehicle for $25,000, you pay sales tax on that $25,000 amount. The dealer collects the tax at the time of sale and sends it to the Department of Revenue.

If you trade in a vehicle as part of the purchase, the sales tax is calculated on the net amount — the purchase price minus the trade-in value. So if you buy a $25,000 car and trade in a vehicle worth $5,000, you pay sales tax on $20,000, not the full $25,000. This is called the trade-in credit.

For other major purchases like boats, recreational vehicles, and heavy equipment, the same rules apply. Sales tax is due at the time of purchase based on the location where the item is registered or will be used in Washington.

Changes to Sales Tax Rates and Special Situations

Sales tax rates in Washington change periodically when cities or counties pass new tax measures or when existing taxes expire. The state rate of 6.5 percent has been in place since 1983, but local rates change more frequently. Before making a large purchase, check the current rate for your location because it may have changed since the last time you checked.

Some special situations affect how sales tax works. If you are a registered business buying items for resale, you can provide a resale certificate to avoid paying sales tax on those items — you will collect tax from your customers instead. If you buy items for use in a specific county but live in another, the tax rate of the county where you use the item applies.

Native American tribes in Washington have their own tax systems on tribal lands. If you buy something on tribal land, different tax rules may apply. Check with the specific tribe or business about their tax policies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay sales tax on groceries?

No. Most groceries and food items bought for home consumption are exempt from sales tax in Washington. This includes produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. However, prepared foods like hot deli items, restaurant meals, and food from a food truck are taxed.

Why is my sales tax rate different from my neighbor's?

Your neighbor may live in a different city or county, even if you are close by. Each city and county sets its own local sales tax rate on top of the state rate. Enter your specific address into the Department of Revenue's lookup tool to see your exact rate.

Do I pay sales tax on online purchases from out-of-state companies?

It depends on the company. Large retailers like Amazon collect Washington sales tax on orders shipped to Washington. Smaller out-of-state retailers may not collect tax, though Washington law says you owe "use tax" on those purchases — in practice, most people do not pay it unless audited.

Can I get a refund on sales tax I already paid?

Generally no, unless you return the item to the store. If you return something and get your money back, the store refunds the tax as well. If you paid tax on an item and kept it, you cannot get a refund from the state.

Is sales tax included in the price shown on the shelf?

No. The price on the shelf or online is the pre-tax price. Sales tax is added at checkout. This is why the total you pay is higher than the advertised price.