Washington's statewide sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your actual rate depends on your city and county
Washington has no income tax, so the state relies on sales tax instead. The base rate is 6.5 percent statewide, but most cities and counties add their own local tax on top of that. Your total rate — what you actually pay at checkout — is the combination of state tax plus all local taxes that explore to your address. This means a purchase in Seattle costs a different tax rate than the same purchase in Spokane or a small town outside either city.
The local portion varies widely. Some counties add as little as 0.1 percent; others add 1.5 percent or more. A few cities layer on additional tax for specific purposes like transit or stadiums. Because of this, Washington has some of the highest combined sales tax rates in the country, with some areas reaching 10.25 percent or higher.
Key Takeaways
- Washington's state sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your total rate includes county and city taxes on top of that.
- Combined rates range from about 7.65 percent in some areas to over 10 percent in others, depending on where you live or shop.
- You can find your exact rate by entering your address on the Department of Revenue website or asking a retailer in your area.
- Sales tax applies to most goods but not to groceries, prescription medications, or certain medical equipment.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may or may not be taxed depending on whether the seller has a physical presence in Washington.
How local taxes stack on top of the state rate
Every county in Washington adds its own sales tax on top of the 6.5 percent state rate. County rates range from 0.1 percent to 1.5 percent. On top of that, individual cities can add their own tax as well. Some cities add nothing; others add 0.5 percent or more. The result is that your total tax rate depends on both your county and your specific city.
For example, King County (which includes Seattle) has a county rate of 0.5 percent, and Seattle itself adds another 0.5 percent for local transit funding. That brings the Seattle rate to 6.5 + 0.5 + 0.5 = 7.5 percent. In Spokane County, the county rate is 0.8 percent, and Spokane city adds 0.5 percent, for a total of 7.8 percent. A smaller town in a different county might have a total rate of 8.5 percent or higher.
Some cities also impose additional taxes for specific purposes. These might fund stadiums, convention centers, or public transportation. These are separate from the standard county and city sales tax and can add another 0.1 to 0.5 percent depending on the city and what the tax funds.
Finding your exact sales tax rate
The Washington Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website. You enter your street address, and the tool shows you the exact combined rate that applies to that location. This is the most reliable way to find out what you will pay, because rates can change and can vary even between nearby addresses.
If you do not have internet access or prefer to ask directly, you can call your city or county tax assessor's office. They can tell you the rate for your address over the phone. Retailers in your area can also tell you the rate, though they may not have rates for other parts of the state memorized.
Keep in mind that the rate you pay depends on where the purchase happens, not where you live. If you buy something in a different city or county, you pay that location's rate, not your home rate.
What is and is not taxed in Washington
Sales tax in Washington applies to most goods and many services. Clothing, electronics, furniture, and most other retail items are taxed. However, several categories are exempt from sales tax entirely.
Groceries — food you buy to cook at home — are not taxed. This includes produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed. Prescription medications are not taxed, but over-the-counter medicines and vitamins are. Certain medical equipment and mobility aids are exempt, but the rules are specific; ask your pharmacist or doctor if you are unsure.
Services are usually not taxed in Washington, with some exceptions. Haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing work are generally not taxed. However, some services bundled with goods — like installation or delivery — may be taxed depending on how the invoice is written.
Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
If you buy something online from a retailer that has a physical location, warehouse, or employees in Washington, that retailer must collect Washington sales tax on your purchase. Large online retailers like Amazon collect tax on most purchases shipped to Washington addresses.
If you buy from a small out-of-state seller with no presence in Washington, that seller may not collect Washington tax at the time of purchase. However, Washington law requires you to pay use tax — a tax on items you bring into the state or have shipped to you — if sales tax was not collected. In practice, most individual shoppers do not report use tax, but it is technically owed. The rate is the same as the sales tax rate for your address.
This rule changed in recent years as more states began requiring online sellers to collect tax. If you are unsure whether tax was collected on a purchase, check your receipt or contact the seller.
How sales tax revenue is used
The 6.5 percent state sales tax goes to Washington's general fund, which pays for schools, roads, courts, and other state services. County and city portions fund local services like police, fire, libraries, and public transportation. Some cities have dedicated a portion of their sales tax to specific projects — Seattle's 0.5 percent local tax, for instance, funds transit improvements.
When a city or county votes to increase its local sales tax, it is usually for a specific purpose. Voters see a ballot measure that explains what the tax will fund and for how long it will last. These local taxes are temporary in some cases and permanent in others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Washington have such high sales tax?
Washington has no state income tax, so it relies on sales tax to fund schools, roads, and other services. Counties and cities add their own taxes to pay for local services. This combination results in rates that are higher than in states with income tax.
Do I pay sales tax on groceries?
No. Groceries — food you buy to prepare at home — are not taxed in Washington. Restaurant meals, prepared foods, and food you eat on premises are taxed. If you are unsure whether something counts as a grocery, ask the cashier or check your receipt.
What is use tax and do I have to pay it?
Use tax is owed on items you bring into Washington or have shipped here if sales tax was not collected at purchase. The rate matches your local sales tax rate. Most individual shoppers do not report it, but it is technically required by law. Large retailers now collect it automatically on most online purchases.
Can sales tax rates change?
Yes. Cities and counties can vote to increase or decrease their local rates. State rates can also change, though this is less common. Check the Department of Revenue website or your local tax assessor if you need the current rate for a specific address.
Do I pay sales tax on services like haircuts or car repairs?
Most services are not taxed in Washington. Haircuts, repairs, and labor are generally exempt. However, if a service includes goods — like parts in a repair — the goods portion may be taxed separately depending on how the invoice is written.