Washington's statewide sales tax is 6.5 percent
Washington State charges a 6.5 percent sales tax on most retail purchases. This is the base rate that applies everywhere in the state. However, your actual tax rate depends on where you make the purchase, because cities and counties add their own local taxes on top of the state rate.
The total you pay ranges from 6.5 percent to 10.25 percent depending on your location. A purchase that costs $100 might have $6.50 in tax in one city and $10.25 in another. This variation matters most for large purchases or if you shop near city or county borders.
Key Takeaways
- Washington State's base sales tax is 6.5 percent, but local cities and counties add their own taxes on top of that amount.
- Your total sales tax rate depends on the specific city and county where you make the purchase, not where you live.
- Combined rates range from 6.5 percent (state only, in a few unincorporated areas) to 10.25 percent in some cities.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Washington.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may not include Washington sales tax, but you are responsible for reporting the tax owed.
How local taxes stack on top of the state rate
Washington cities and counties each set their own sales tax rates. A city might add 1.5 percent, and the county might add 0.5 percent. When you buy something in that city, you pay 6.5 percent (state) + 1.5 percent (city) + 0.5 percent (county) = 9.5 percent total.
The location where the sale happens is what matters, not where you live. If you live in a county with a 0.5 percent rate but drive to a neighboring county with a 1.5 percent rate to shop, you pay the higher rate at checkout. This is why sales tax varies so much across the state—each jurisdiction sets its own local rate independently.
Major cities like Seattle, Tacoma, and Spokane have different combined rates. Seattle's combined rate is 10.25 percent (6.5 state + 3.75 local). Tacoma is 10.25 percent. Spokane is 8.9 percent. Smaller towns and rural areas often have lower combined rates because they add less local tax.
What items are exempt from sales tax
Not everything you buy is taxed. Groceries are exempt from sales tax in Washington—this includes food you cook at home like produce, meat, dairy, and bread. Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed, but raw ingredients are not.
Prescription medications are also exempt. Over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers and cold medicine are taxed, but anything you need a prescription for is not. Medical equipment such as wheelchairs, walkers, and diabetic supplies are exempt as well.
Some services are not taxed either. Haircuts, dental work, and medical services do not have sales tax applied. However, if you buy a product at those locations—like shampoo at a salon or toothpaste at a dentist's office—that product is taxed.
Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
When you order from an out-of-state online retailer, Washington sales tax may not be added at checkout. Large retailers like Amazon now collect Washington sales tax on most orders, but smaller sellers often do not. This does not mean you owe nothing—Washington law requires you to report and pay the tax yourself on your state tax return, though most people do not.
If you order from a seller with no physical location in Washington and no sales tax is collected, you are technically responsible for the tax. In practice, this is rarely enforced for individual purchases. However, if you run a business and make large purchases, the state may pursue the unpaid tax.
In-state online purchases from Washington retailers follow the same rules as in-store purchases. The tax rate depends on where the retailer is located or where the item ships to, depending on the retailer's system.
Finding the exact rate for your city or county
Washington's Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website. You can enter your city or zip code and see the exact combined rate for that location. This is the most reliable way to find your rate because local rates change occasionally when cities or counties adjust their taxes.
If you are shopping near a border or planning a large purchase, checking the rate beforehand takes less than a minute. The rate shown is the total you will pay—the retailer handles breaking it down into state and local portions.
How sales tax differs from income tax
Washington has no state income tax. Instead, the state relies heavily on sales tax for revenue. This is why Washington's sales tax is higher than many other states—there is no income tax to offset it. If you move to Washington from a state with income tax, you will notice you pay more in sales tax but nothing in state income tax.
This also means your sales tax burden depends on how much you spend, not how much you earn. Someone who spends $50,000 a year pays more sales tax than someone who spends $20,000, regardless of their income.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax in Seattle?
Seattle's combined sales tax rate is 10.25 percent. This includes the 6.5 percent state rate plus 3.75 percent in local taxes from the city and King County. This is one of the highest rates in Washington State.
Do I pay sales tax on clothes and shoes?
Yes. Clothing and shoes are taxed at the full sales tax rate in Washington. There is no clothing exemption like some states have. A $100 jacket costs $106.50 to $110.25 depending on your location.
Is there sales tax on used items?
Used items sold by private individuals are not taxed. If you sell your car to a friend, there is no sales tax. However, used items sold by businesses—like used cars from a dealer or used furniture from a store—are taxed at the full rate.
What about sales tax on gas?
Gasoline is taxed at the full sales tax rate, plus Washington also charges a fuel tax on top of that. The fuel tax varies by location but is typically around 49 cents per gallon. Both taxes are included in the price you see at the pump.
Can I get sales tax refunded if I return something?
Yes. When you return an item and receive a refund, the sales tax is refunded along with the purchase price. If you paid $110.25 for a $100 item with 10.25 percent tax and return it, you get the full $110.25 back.