Washington has a state sales tax, but no income tax

Yes, Washington State charges sales tax. The state sales tax rate is 6.5 percent, but the total tax you pay at checkout is usually higher because counties and cities add their own local taxes on top. Your final rate depends on where you make the purchase.

Washington is one of five states with no personal income tax, which is why the state relies more heavily on sales tax than many other states do. This means you will see sales tax applied to most purchases you make in stores, online, and at restaurants.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington State's base sales tax is 6.5 percent, but local taxes raise the total to between 8.1 and 10.25 percent depending on your county and city.
  • Sales tax applies to most goods and some services, but groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment are exempt.
  • Online purchases are taxed the same way as in-store purchases if the seller has a physical presence in Washington or meets federal thresholds.
  • Restaurants, bars, and prepared food counters charge sales tax on the full bill, not just the food itself.

How local taxes change your total rate

The 6.5 percent state rate is just the starting point. Counties add their own tax (ranging from 0.5 to 3.6 percent), and cities can add more on top of that. A purchase in Seattle, for example, is taxed at 10.25 percent total—the state 6.5 percent plus King County's 0.5 percent plus Seattle's 3.25 percent.

The lowest combined rates in the state are around 8.1 percent in some rural areas. The highest reach 10.25 percent in Seattle and a few other cities. You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website, or by asking a cashier at any store in your area.

What is and is not taxed

Most physical goods are taxed, including clothing, electronics, furniture, and household items. Services like haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing are also taxed. However, some categories are exempt from sales tax entirely.

Groceries are not taxed—this includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Prescription medications and over-the-counter drugs are also exempt. Medical equipment like wheelchairs, crutches, and diabetic supplies are not taxed. Prepared food from restaurants, bakeries, and deli counters is taxed, but raw ingredients you buy to cook at home are not.

A few other exemptions exist: newspapers and magazines, certain agricultural equipment, and items purchased for resale. If you are unsure whether something is taxed, ask the cashier or check the Washington Department of Revenue website.

Sales tax on restaurant meals and takeout

When you eat at a restaurant or order takeout, sales tax is charged on the entire bill—food, drinks, and condiments together. The tax is calculated before you add a tip, so your tip is not taxed. If you order from a restaurant's hot food bar or deli counter, that prepared food is taxed. If you buy a cold sandwich from a grocery store shelf, it is not.

Alcohol is taxed at the regular sales tax rate, not at a higher rate. However, Washington also charges a separate liquor tax on beer, wine, and spirits that is added on top of sales tax, so your total cost for alcohol is higher than for other items.

How online purchases are taxed

Online retailers must charge Washington sales tax if they have a warehouse, office, or other physical location in the state. They must also charge tax if they meet federal thresholds for sales volume—currently, any seller with more than $100,000 in annual sales to Washington customers or more than 200 transactions in the state must collect tax.

If an online seller does not collect Washington sales tax at checkout, you may be responsible for reporting and paying the tax yourself when you file your state tax return. This is called "use tax," and it applies the same rate as sales tax. In practice, most major online retailers already collect the tax, so you will see it added to your order total.

Sales tax on vehicles and large purchases

When you buy a car, truck, or motorcycle in Washington, sales tax is charged on the purchase price. The rate is the same as your local sales tax rate. If you buy a vehicle out of state and bring it to Washington, you may owe use tax on it, depending on where you bought it and whether tax was already paid.

Large purchases like boats, RVs, and aircraft are also taxed. If you are buying something expensive, ask the seller whether the price shown includes tax or whether tax will be added at the end. For vehicles, the tax is usually collected by the dealer and sent to the state, but you should confirm this before signing paperwork.

What happens if sales tax is not charged

If a seller fails to charge you sales tax when they should have, you are not responsible for paying it later. The seller owes the tax to the state, not the other way around. However, if you purchase something online from a seller who does not collect tax, you may be asked to report it on your state tax return as use tax.

If you believe a business is regularly not charging tax when required, you can report it to the Washington Department of Revenue. The department investigates complaints and can audit businesses that are not following tax law.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries?

No. Fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and most packaged foods are not taxed in Washington. Prepared foods from deli counters, bakeries, and restaurants are taxed. If you are unsure whether a specific item is taxed, the cashier can tell you before you check out.

What is the sales tax rate in my city?

Your rate depends on your state, county, and city. You can find your exact rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website, or by asking a cashier. Rates range from about 8.1 percent to 10.25 percent across the state.

Do I owe sales tax on items I buy online?

If the seller has a physical presence in Washington or meets federal sales thresholds, they must charge you sales tax at checkout. If they do not, you may be responsible for reporting and paying use tax on your state return, though most major retailers already collect the tax.

Is alcohol taxed differently in Washington?

Alcohol is charged the regular sales tax rate, but Washington also adds a separate liquor tax on beer, wine, and spirits on top of that. Your total cost for alcohol is higher than for other items because of this additional tax.

Do I pay sales tax when I buy a car?

Yes. Sales tax is charged on the purchase price of vehicles at your local rate. The dealer usually collects this tax and sends it to the state. If you buy a vehicle out of state, you may owe use tax when you register it in Washington.