Seattle's sales tax rate and what it covers
Seattle's combined sales tax rate is 10.25% as of 2024. This rate combines the Washington State base sales tax of 6.5%, King County's additional tax of 0.5%, and Seattle's local tax of 3.25%. The rate applies to most goods you buy in the city, though some items are taxed differently or not at all.
The tax is added at the register when you pay. You do not pay it separately — it is included in the total the cashier rings up. If a price tag shows $10, you will pay $10 plus the sales tax on top of that amount.
Washington State has no income tax, which is why the state relies on sales tax to fund schools, roads, and other services. Seattle's local portion funds city services including parks, transportation, and public safety.
Key Takeaways
- Seattle's sales tax is 10.25%, made up of state tax (6.5%), county tax (0.5%), and city tax (3.25%).
- Most physical goods are taxed, but groceries, prescription medications, and some medical equipment are exempt.
- Services like haircuts, restaurant meals, and repairs are taxed in Washington, unlike in some other states.
- The tax rate varies slightly outside Seattle — unincorporated King County is 10.1%, and nearby cities may differ by a few tenths of a percent.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may not have sales tax added at checkout, but Washington requires you to report and pay tax on those purchases yourself.
What items are exempt from sales tax in Washington
Groceries are not taxed in Washington. This includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods — anything you would buy in the grocery section of a store. Prepared foods and restaurant meals are taxed, so a sandwich you buy ready-made at a deli counter is taxed, but the ingredients to make it at home are not.
Prescription medications are also exempt. Over-the-counter drugs like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed, but anything you need a prescription for is not. Medical equipment such as wheelchairs, crutches, and diabetic testing supplies are exempt as well.
Clothing and footwear are taxed in Washington, unlike in some states. A shirt, pair of shoes, or jacket all have sales tax added. Children's clothing is not treated differently — it is taxed the same as adult clothing.
How sales tax applies to services
Washington taxes most services, which sets it apart from many other states. A haircut, dental cleaning, car repair, or plumbing visit all have sales tax added to the bill. This is one reason Washington's sales tax rate is higher than states that do not tax services.
Restaurant meals and bar drinks are taxed. The tax applies to the food and beverages themselves, not to the tip. If you leave a tip on your credit card, that tip amount is not taxed — only the food and drink are.
Professional services like accounting, legal information, and consulting are generally not taxed. However, if you buy a physical product as part of that service — such as a document prepared by a lawyer or a report from an accountant — the product portion may be taxed depending on how it is billed.
Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases
If you buy something online from a large retailer like Amazon, the seller usually collects and sends Seattle sales tax to the state, just as a local store would. Most major online retailers now collect sales tax in Washington because the state requires them to do so.
Smaller online sellers or out-of-state businesses may not collect sales tax at checkout. Washington State law requires you to report these purchases and pay the tax yourself, though most people do not. This is called "use tax" — it is the same rate as sales tax and covers items you buy outside the state or from sellers who do not collect it.
If you order something from another state and it is shipped to Seattle, you are responsible for the tax even if none was charged at purchase. The state does not actively pursue individuals for small amounts, but the legal obligation exists.
Sales tax rates in other King County cities
The rate varies slightly depending on where you are in the Seattle area. Unincorporated King County (areas not within a city) has a rate of 10.1%. Nearby cities have their own local tax rates added on top of the state and county base, so the total differs by location.
Bellevue's rate is 10.025%, Redmond's is 10.025%, and Renton's is 10.15%. These small differences add up on large purchases. If you are buying something expensive, the city where you make the purchase matters slightly.
The rate you pay is determined by where the sale happens, not where you live. If you live in Seattle but drive to Bellevue to shop, you pay Bellevue's rate. If you order online and it ships to your Seattle address, you pay Seattle's rate.
How to calculate sales tax on a purchase
To find the total cost of an item, multiply the price by 0.1025 (which represents 10.25%) and add that to the original price. For example, a $50 item costs $50 × 0.1025 = $5.13 in tax, for a total of $55.13.
Most receipts show the tax amount separately, so you can see exactly how much tax was charged. If you are budgeting or comparing prices between stores, remember to factor in the 10.25% when doing the math.
Some stores display prices with tax included, though this is less common in Washington. Always check whether a price tag shows the pre-tax or after-tax amount if you are unsure.
Who collects and where the money goes
The store or business collects the sales tax from you at the point of sale and sends it to Washington State's Department of Revenue. The state then distributes the money: the state portion funds state programs, the county portion goes to King County services, and the city portion funds Seattle city services.
Businesses are required to report their sales and the tax they collected to the state, usually monthly or quarterly depending on their size. If a business fails to send in the tax it collected, the state can pursue them for the unpaid amount plus penalties.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Seattle?
No. Fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and other unprepared groceries are exempt from sales tax in Washington. Prepared foods like deli sandwiches, rotisserie chicken, or bakery items are taxed. The rule is whether the food is ready to eat — if it is, it is taxed.
Is sales tax added to restaurant bills?
Yes. The tax applies to the food and beverages. The tip you leave is not taxed — only the food and drink amounts are subject to the 10.25% rate. Some restaurants include tax in the displayed price, but most show it separately on the bill.
What happens if I buy something online from out of state?
If the seller does not collect Washington sales tax, you are legally required to report the purchase and pay the tax yourself when you file your state tax return. However, enforcement for individual consumers is rare. Large retailers like Amazon now collect the tax automatically.
Does the sales tax rate change?
The rate can change if the state, county, or city passes new tax legislation, but this happens infrequently. The current 10.25% rate in Seattle has been stable for several years. Check the Washington Department of Revenue website if you need the most current rate for your specific location.
Why does Washington have such a high sales tax?
Washington has no state income tax, so it relies on sales tax to fund schools, roads, and public services. The state also taxes services, which many other states do not, which raises the overall rate. This makes Washington's sales tax one of the highest in the nation.