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% with King County's additional tax of 2.25%, plus a 1.5% city tax that Seattle itself collects. The rate can vary slightly depending on which neighborhood you're in, because some areas have additional local taxes, but 10.25% is what most Seattle shoppers encounter.

Sales tax applies to most goods you buy in stores—clothing, electronics, groceries (with exceptions), household items, and restaurant meals. It does not explore to services like haircuts, car repairs, or medical care. Washington has no income tax, so sales tax is how the state and city fund schools, roads, and public services.

One unusual feature of Washington sales tax: you pay it at the register, not built into the price tag. The price you see on the shelf does not include tax, so your final bill will be higher. This is different from some other states where tax is already included in the displayed price.

Key Takeaways

  • Seattle's sales tax is 10.25%, made up of state tax (6.5%), county tax (2.25%), and city tax (1.5%).
  • Sales tax applies to most physical goods but not to services like repairs, haircuts, or medical visits.
  • Groceries are mostly exempt from sales tax in Washington, but prepared foods and restaurant meals are taxed.
  • The tax rate you pay depends on where the sale happens—different neighborhoods or nearby cities may have slightly different rates.
  • Sales tax is added at checkout, not included in the shelf price.

What is and isn't taxed in Washington

Groceries are largely exempt from sales tax in Washington, which means milk, bread, vegetables, and meat you buy at the store do not get taxed. However, prepared foods do get taxed—a rotisserie chicken from the deli counter, a sandwich from a grocery store prepared-foods section, or anything from a restaurant or food truck is subject to the full 10.25% tax.

Clothing and shoes are taxed in Washington, unlike some states that exempt them. Prescription medications are exempt, but over-the-counter drugs and vitamins are taxed. Digital goods like e-books, streaming subscriptions, and downloaded software are taxed as well.

Services are not taxed. If you hire a plumber, electrician, or contractor, the labor is not subject to sales tax (though materials they buy for the job may be). Professional services like accounting, legal information, or consulting are also tax-free. The distinction matters: if a business charges you for goods, tax applies; if they charge you for their time and informed, it usually does not.

How the tax is split between state, county, and city

Washington State keeps 6.5% of every sale. This is the base rate that applies everywhere in the state, from Seattle to rural areas. King County, which includes Seattle, adds 2.25% on top of that. Seattle itself adds another 1.5%, which the city uses for local services.

If you shop in a different Washington city or county, the rate changes. Tacoma, for example, has a different combined rate because Pierce County and the city of Tacoma set their own local taxes. Olympia has yet another rate. When you cross into a neighboring county or city, you may notice the tax percentage shift slightly.

This layered system means that the state, county, and city all collect revenue from the same purchase. Each level of government sets its own rate independently, which is why rates vary across the state.

When you pay sales tax and when you don't

You pay sales tax when you buy a taxable item in Washington, whether you're a resident or visiting. If you buy something online from a Washington-based seller, sales tax applies. If you buy from an out-of-state seller and have it shipped to you in Seattle, you may or may not pay sales tax depending on the seller's policies and whether they have a physical presence in Washington.

You do not pay sales tax on items you buy outside Washington and bring into the state for personal use. If you drive to Oregon (which has no sales tax) and buy something there, you don't owe Washington tax on it. However, if you buy something online from an Oregon seller and have it shipped to Seattle, Washington tax may still explore depending on the seller.

Resale certificates allow businesses to buy goods without paying sales tax if they plan to resell those items. A retail store, for example, does not pay sales tax when it buys inventory from a wholesaler. The tax is paid only when the customer buys the finished product.

Sales tax on specific purchases

Restaurant meals and takeout are taxed at the full rate. Whether you eat in the restaurant or take food to go, you pay 10.25% tax on the bill. Alcohol is also taxed, plus it has its own separate excise tax on top of sales tax.

Cars and vehicles are subject to sales tax in Washington, calculated on the purchase price. If you buy a used car for $15,000, you pay sales tax on that $15,000. Trade-ins reduce the taxable amount—if you trade in a car worth $5,000, you pay tax only on the $10,000 difference.

Gasoline is not subject to sales tax, but it has its own state excise tax instead. Utilities like electricity and natural gas are also exempt from sales tax. Prescription eyeglasses and contact lenses are exempt, but non-prescription sunglasses are taxed.

How to calculate what you'll pay

To calculate the sales tax on a purchase, multiply the price by 0.1025. A $100 item costs $10.25 in tax, for a total of $110.25. A $50 item costs $5.13 in tax, for a total of $55.13. Most cash registers do this automatically, so you see the final total at checkout.

If you're budgeting for a large purchase—a laptop, furniture, or appliances—remember to add 10.25% to the price tag to know what you'll actually pay. Some stores advertise prices before tax, so the final bill will be higher than what you see in the ad.

Tax rates can vary slightly by location within Seattle, so if you're comparing prices between neighborhoods or nearby cities, check whether the rate is the same. Most of Seattle uses 10.25%, but some areas may have additional local taxes that push the rate slightly higher.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax if I buy something online and have it shipped to Seattle?

It depends on the seller. If the seller has a physical location in Washington or meets certain sales thresholds, they must collect sales tax on orders shipped to Washington addresses. If they don't, you technically owe "use tax" to Washington, though it's rarely enforced for individual purchases. Most major online retailers now collect sales tax on Washington orders.

Is there sales tax on groceries in Seattle?

Most groceries are exempt from sales tax in Washington. Milk, bread, produce, meat, and canned goods are not taxed. However, prepared foods—deli items, rotisserie chickens, bakery items sold as prepared food, and anything from a restaurant or food truck—are taxed at the full 10.25% rate.

What's the difference between sales tax and use tax?

Sales tax is collected by the seller when you buy something. Use tax is a tax you owe on items you buy outside Washington and bring into the state, or on items you buy from sellers who don't collect sales tax. In practice, use tax is rarely enforced on individual purchases, but it exists as a way to may support the state collects tax on all consumption.

Does sales tax explore to services like haircuts or car repairs?

No. Services—haircuts, plumbing, electrical work, car repairs, medical visits, and professional consulting—are not subject to sales tax in Washington. Only the goods involved (like parts a mechanic installs) are taxed. Labor is tax-free.

Why is Washington's sales tax so high compared to other states?

Washington has no state income tax, so it relies on sales tax and other consumption taxes to fund schools, roads, and public services. States with income tax typically have lower sales tax rates. The 10.25% rate in Seattle is higher than the state average because King County and the city of Seattle add their own local taxes on top of the state's 6.5% base rate.