What is the sales tax rate in Washington?

Washington has a state sales tax rate of 6.500%. Local jurisdictions can add up to approximately 4%, and combined rates range from 6.500% to over 10% depending on location.

What is the sales tax rate in Seattle?

Seattle has a combined sales tax rate of 10.35%, which includes the 6.500% state rate, local taxes, and a Sound Transit (RTA) tax. Some transactions in Seattle may be subject to rates up to 11.75% depending on the specific location and type of purchase.

What is the Sound Transit (RTA) tax?

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax is a voter-approved sales tax in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties to fund Sound Transit's light rail, commuter rail, and express bus systems. The RTA sales tax rate is currently 1.4% (as of April 2017), adding to the base state and local rates in the Sound Transit District.

Are groceries taxed in Washington?

No, groceries (unprepared food items) are exempt from sales tax in Washington. However, prepared foods, soft drinks, alcohol, and dietary supplements are taxable at the full rate.

Is clothing taxed in Washington?

Yes, all clothing and footwear are taxable in Washington at the full sales tax rate. Unlike some states, Washington does not offer a clothing exemption regardless of price.

Do I pay Washington sales tax on online purchases?

Yes, most online purchases delivered to Washington addresses are subject to Washington sales tax at the rate applicable to the delivery address. This can range from 6.500% to over 10% depending on your location. Major online retailers typically collect this tax at checkout.

What items are exempt from sales tax in Washington?

Washington exempts groceries (unprepared food), prescription medications, certain agricultural items, manufacturing machinery, and newspapers from sales tax. Most other goods and services are taxable.

Sales Tax Calculator

Washington Sales Tax
Calculator

Q: When did Washington last change its sales tax rate?

The Washington state sales tax rate has remained at 6.500% since 1983, making it one of the longest periods of rate stability in the nation—over 40 years unchanged at the state level.

Calculate Washington sales tax instantly for any city. Enter any amount to see the exact tax and total.

State Rate

6.500%

Select City

Located in Sound Transit (RTA) (+1.400%)

Amount before tax

About Washington Sales Tax

State rate: 6.500%

Local rate in King County: 3.850%

Combined rate in Seattle: 10.350%

Sound Transit (RTA)

Businesses in this district charge an additional tax, bringing the total rate to 11.750% instead of the standard 10.350%.

State Rate

6.500%

Local Tax

Up to ~4%

Seattle Rate

10.35%

Whatcom County

9.000%

Standard Rate

96,619

City	County	Standard Rate	Special District	Population
Seattle	King	10.350%	Special District	764,753
Spokane	Spokane	9.100%	Standard Rate	229,608
Tacoma	Pierce	10.300%	Special District	225,030
Vancouver (WA)	Clark	8.800%	Standard Rate	199,884
Bellevue	King	10.200%	Special District	151,436
Kent	King	10.200%	Special District	131,235
Everett	Snohomish	9.900%	Special District	111,371
Spokane Valley	Spokane	8.900%	Standard Rate	111,371
Renton	King	10.300%	Special District	103,005
Bellingham	Whatcom	9.000%	Standard Rate	96,619
Yakima	Yakima	8.300%	Standard Rate	96,541
Federal Way	King	10.200%	Special District	95,509
Kirkland	King	10.300%	Special District	90,164
Kennewick	Benton	8.800%	Standard Rate	85,940
Redmond	King	10.300%	Special District	84,897
Auburn	King (and Pierce)	10.300%	Special District	81,754
Pasco	Franklin	8.900%	Standard Rate	81,605
Marysville	Snohomish	9.400%	Special District	74,206
Richland	Benton	8.700%	Standard Rate	65,656
Sammamish	King	10.200%	Special District	63,564
Shoreline	King	10.400%	Special District	63,045
Lakewood	Pierce	10.100%	Special District	61,429
Lacey	Thurston	9.700%	Standard Rate	59,395
Olympia	Thurston	9.800%	Standard Rate	55,816
Bothell	Snohomish	10.500%	Special District	51,575
Burien	King	10.200%	Special District	49,890
Lynnwood	Snohomish	10.600%	Special District	47,413
Bremerton	Kitsap	9.200%	Standard Rate	46,667
Edmonds	Snohomish	10.500%	Special District	42,615

Note: Rates vary widely across Washington. Seattle area rates can exceed 10% when including Sound Transit taxes.

How to Calculate Sales Tax in Washington

Sales Tax Calculation

Washington

Example: Seattle Purchase

Determine the purchase price

Purchase price (before tax) $500.00

Multiply by the tax rate

$500.00 × 10.35% (0.1035) for Seattle

Sales tax $51.75

Add to the original price

$500.00 + $51.75

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $551.75

Thank you for your purchase

Location Matters

Tax rates vary dramatically across Washington, from 6.5% to over 10%. Always use the specific rate for your location.

What's Exempt?

Exempt: Groceries, prescriptions

Taxable: Clothing, prepared foods, most goods

Special Washington Sales Tax Rules

Sound Transit (RTA) Tax (1.4%)

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax is a voter-approved 1.4% sales tax in King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties to fund Sound Transit's light rail, commuter rail, and bus systems.

Voter approved: In 1996, 2008, and 2016, voters in the Sound Transit District approved tax increases. The rate increased from 0.9% (2008) to 1.4% effective April 1, 2017.

Sound Transit District Coverage

King County: Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond, Kent, Renton, and most of King County

Pierce County: Tacoma and surrounding areas

Snohomish County: Everett, Lynnwood, and portions of south Snohomish County

Tax-Exempt Items

Washington exempts several categories from sales tax

•
Groceries: Unprepared food items (excludes prepared foods, soft drinks, alcohol, dietary supplements)
•
Prescription Medications: Drugs prescribed by licensed healthcare providers
•
Manufacturing Equipment: Machinery and equipment used in production
•
Agricultural Items: Certain farming and agricultural supplies
•
Newspapers: Printed publications sold regularly

Note: Clothing is NOT exempt in Washington and is taxed at the full rate, unlike neighboring Oregon which has no sales tax.

How Washington Compares to Neighboring States

Here's how Washington's sales tax stacks up against nearby states

6.500%

Oregon

0.00%

No sales tax!

Washington

6.500%

+ local taxes

Range: 6.5% to 10%+
Seattle: 10.35%

Stable since 1983 (40+ years)

Idaho

6.00%

No local tax

Washington has significantly higher combined rates than its neighbors—especially in Seattle where rates exceed 10%, compared to Oregon's 0% and Idaho's 6%.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Washington Sales Tax Rate History

Washington's state sales tax has evolved since 1935, but has remained remarkably stable at 6.500% since 1983—over 40 years:

Effective Date	Rate	Change	Notes
1983 - Present	6.500%	—	Stable for 40+ years (current rate)
1982	5.400%	▼ -0.100%	Decreased from 5.5%
1981	5.500%	▲ +1.000%	Major increase from 4.5%
1979	4.500%	▼ -0.100%	Decreased from 4.6%
1976	4.600%	▲ +0.100%	Increased from 4.5%
1967	4.500%	▲ +0.300%	Increased from 4.2%
1965	4.200%	▲ +0.200%	Increased from 4%
1959	4.000%	▲ +0.670%	Increased from 3.33%
1955	3.330%	▲ +0.330%	Increased from 3%
1941	3.000%	▲ +1.000%	Increased from 2%
1935	2.000%	—	Retail sales tax enacted (Revenue Act of 1935)

Remarkable Stability: Washington's state sales tax rate has remained at 6.5% since 1983, making it one of the longest periods of rate stability in the nation. However, local rates and special district taxes (like Sound Transit) have increased significantly over this period.

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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current Washington sales tax rates as of January 2025. Tax rates are subject to change by state legislation and local jurisdictions. For official tax rates and specific guidance on your situation, please consult the Washington Department of Revenue or a qualified tax professional.

Not Legal or Tax Advice: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Always verify current rates before making large purchases or business decisions.

Sources: Washington Department of Revenue, Revenue Act of 1935, Sound Transit, RCW 82.14 (Local Retail Sales and Use Taxes)

Last updated: October 10, 2025