Washington's statewide sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your total 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. However, most cities and counties add their own tax on top of that. Your actual rate at checkout is the combination of state tax plus local taxes, which means it ranges from 6.5 percent in a few rural areas to as high as 10.25 percent in some cities. Where you buy matters as much as what you buy.

The tax applies to most goods — clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture — but not to services like haircuts, car repairs, or medical visits. A few items are exempt or taxed differently, which we cover below.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington's base sales tax is 6.5 percent, but local taxes add 0 to 3.75 percent more depending on your city and county.
  • You can find your exact rate by entering your address on the Department of Revenue website or asking a retailer in your area.
  • Groceries, prescription drugs, and some medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Washington.
  • Sales tax is collected at the point of sale and sent to the state and local governments by the retailer.

How local taxes stack on top of the state rate

Washington divides sales tax into three layers: state, county, and city. The state collects 6.5 percent. Your county then adds a local tax, which varies — some counties add nothing, others add up to 1.5 percent. Your city adds another layer on top of that, ranging from 0 to 2.25 percent in the highest cases.

Seattle, for example, has a combined rate of 10.25 percent: 6.5 percent state, 0.5 percent county (King County), and 3.25 percent city. Spokane is lower at 8.9 percent. A small town in a rural county might be only 6.5 percent. The only way to know your exact rate is to check where you live or shop.

Finding your exact sales tax rate

The Washington Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website. You enter your address or ZIP code, and it shows you the combined rate for that location. This is the fastest way to get a precise number.

If you are shopping online or by phone, ask the retailer what rate they will charge. Washington law requires them to collect tax based on the delivery address, not the seller's location. So if you live in Seattle but order from a store in Spokane, you pay Seattle's rate, not Spokane's.

What is and is not taxed

Exempt from sales tax: groceries (unprepared food), prescription drugs, insulin, diabetic supplies, some medical equipment, and certain prosthetic devices. Prepared food — restaurant meals, deli items, hot coffee — is taxed.

Taxed: clothing, shoes, electronics, furniture, gasoline, alcohol, and most other goods. Clothing and shoes have no special exemption in Washington, unlike some states.

Services are generally not taxed: haircuts, car repairs, dental work, and legal information do not have sales tax. However, some services bundled with goods — like installation or delivery — may be taxed depending on how the retailer structures the charge.

When you pay sales tax and how it is collected

You pay sales tax at the point of sale. The retailer calculates it based on your location and adds it to your bill. The retailer then sends the collected tax to the state and local governments on a monthly or quarterly schedule, depending on the retailer's size and the local jurisdiction.

Online purchases are subject to the same tax as in-store purchases if the seller has a physical presence in Washington or meets federal thresholds for remote sellers. Most large online retailers now collect Washington sales tax automatically at checkout.

Sales tax on specific purchases

Groceries are the biggest category exempt from tax. This means milk, bread, vegetables, meat, and canned goods are not taxed. However, candy, soda, and hot prepared foods are taxed because they are not considered groceries.

Gasoline is taxed at the pump. The tax is included in the price per gallon you see displayed. Alcohol — beer, wine, and spirits — is taxed at the regular sales tax rate, plus there is a separate excise tax on alcohol that goes to the state.

Used goods sold by individuals are not taxed. Used goods sold by a business or through a reseller platform may be taxed depending on the circumstances and the seller's status.

How Washington compares to other states

Washington's base rate of 6.5 percent is in the middle nationally. Some states have no sales tax at all (Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware). Others have rates above 7 percent. When you add local taxes, Washington's combined rates are moderate to high depending on where you live.

Because Washington has no income tax, it relies more heavily on sales tax than states that tax both income and sales. This is a trade-off: no income tax means lower taxes for high earners, but sales tax affects everyone equally regardless of income.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on online orders from out-of-state sellers?

Yes, if the seller has a legal obligation to collect Washington tax. Most large retailers do. If they do not, Washington law technically requires you to report the purchase and pay use tax yourself, though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases. Check the retailer's tax policy at checkout.

Is clothing taxed in Washington?

Yes. Washington does not exempt clothing or shoes from sales tax, unlike some states. A pair of jeans or a winter coat is taxed at your local combined rate.

What about tax on groceries at the self-checkout?

Groceries are not taxed. If you are charged tax on milk, bread, or vegetables, ask the cashier to correct it. Prepared foods like rotisserie chicken or deli sandwiches are taxed because they are not considered groceries.

Can I get a refund if I paid sales tax by mistake?

If you were charged tax on an exempt item like groceries or prescription drugs, contact the retailer with your receipt. Most will refund the tax. For larger amounts, you can file a claim with the Washington Department of Revenue, though this is uncommon for small purchases.

Does sales tax explore to shipping and delivery charges?

It depends on how the retailer structures the charge. Some retailers include shipping in the taxable price; others charge it separately and do not tax it. Check the retailer's policy or ask before you buy.