Seattle's current sales tax rate is 10.25%

Seattle has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country. When you buy something in the city, you pay 10.25% sales tax on top of the listed price. This rate is made up of three layers: the state of Washington charges 6.5%, King County adds 0.5%, and the city of Seattle adds 3.25%.

The 3.25% city portion funds local services including transit, parks, and general city operations. Unlike income tax, which Washington does not have, sales tax is how the state and city collect most of their revenue. The total 10.25% applies to most goods you buy in Seattle, though some items are taxed differently or not at all.

Key Takeaways

  • Seattle's sales tax is 10.25%, split between the state (6.5%), county (0.5%), and city (3.25%).
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Washington.
  • Restaurant meals, prepared foods, and takeout are taxed at the full rate, even if you eat them at home.
  • If you buy something outside Seattle but use it there, you still owe the tax when you bring it into the city.

What is and is not taxed in Seattle

Most physical goods are taxed at 10.25%, but groceries are the major exception. Raw food you cook at home — produce, meat, dairy, bread, canned goods — is not taxed. The rule is straightforward: if it is a food item you prepare yourself, there is no sales tax. Once a business prepares it for you, tax applies.

This means a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store is taxed, but a raw chicken is not. A sandwich from a deli is taxed. A coffee from a café is taxed. Alcohol — beer, wine, and spirits — is taxed at the full 10.25% rate. Prescription medications and medical devices like wheelchairs or hearing aids are exempt. Over-the-counter medicines like aspirin or cold medicine are taxed.

Services are usually not taxed in Washington, which is why a haircut, car repair, or plumbing visit does not add sales tax to your bill. However, some services do get taxed: car rentals, hotel stays, and certain personal services like tattoos or massages are subject to tax.

How the tax breaks down by source

Washington State collects 6.5% of the 10.25% total. This goes to the state general fund and specific state programs. King County, which contains Seattle, adds 0.5%. The city of Seattle itself adds 3.25%, which was increased in 2018 to fund transit and homelessness services.

When you check out at a store, you see only the final 10.25% on your receipt. The breakdown is invisible to you as a shopper, but it matters if you are comparing prices across different cities in Washington. A purchase in Tacoma, for example, has a different rate because Tacoma's city portion is different. A purchase in Bellevue, just east of Seattle, is also different.

Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases

If you order something online from a retailer outside Washington, you may not see sales tax added at checkout. However, Washington law requires you to pay use tax on those purchases — it is the same rate as sales tax, 10.25% in Seattle, but you owe it to the state instead of paying it to the retailer. Most people do not pay use tax voluntarily, and the state does not actively pursue individual shoppers for small purchases.

Large retailers like Amazon now collect Washington sales tax on orders shipped to Seattle addresses, so you will see it on your receipt. Smaller online sellers may not, depending on their size and whether they have a physical presence in Washington. If you buy from an out-of-state business and no tax is collected, you are technically liable for use tax, though enforcement is rare for individual consumers.

Comparing Seattle to nearby cities

Seattle's 10.25% rate is higher than most of its neighbors. Bellevue, just across Lake Washington, has a rate of 10.025% because the city portion is lower. Tacoma, south of Seattle, has 10.4%. Redmond, north of Seattle, has 10.025%. The differences are small but add up on large purchases.

If you are buying something expensive — furniture, electronics, a car — the city where you complete the purchase determines the tax rate. Some people drive to a nearby city to buy big items, though the savings are usually modest. A $1,000 purchase in Seattle costs $102.50 in tax, while the same purchase in Bellevue costs $100.25 — a difference of $2.25.

How sales tax affects your budget

Sales tax in Seattle is not optional, and it is not included in the price tags you see in stores. When a shirt is marked $50, you pay $51.13 at the register. A $100 purchase becomes $110.25. This adds up quickly if you shop regularly in the city.

Groceries are the biggest budget item exempt from tax, which is why that exemption matters for lower-income households. A family spending $400 a month on groceries saves $41 because of the exemption. Prepared foods and restaurant meals, by contrast, are fully taxed, making eating out more expensive than cooking at home from a tax perspective.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay Seattle sales tax if I live outside the city but shop there?

Yes. Sales tax is based on where the transaction happens, not where you live. If you buy something in Seattle, you pay 10.25% regardless of your address. If you live in Bellevue and drive to Seattle to shop, you pay Seattle's rate while you are there.

Are clothes and shoes taxed in Seattle?

Yes, clothing and shoes are taxed at the full 10.25% rate in Washington. There is no clothing exemption like some states have. A pair of jeans marked $60 will cost $61.54 after tax.

What about tax on a car purchase in Seattle?

Cars are taxed at 10.25% in Seattle, calculated on the purchase price. A $30,000 car costs $3,075 in sales tax. Some people register vehicles in other states to avoid this, but Washington taxes based on where you use the vehicle, so this does not work legally.

If I buy something online and pick it up in Seattle, which tax rate applies?

The tax rate where you pick it up applies. If you order online and pick up in Seattle, you pay 10.25%. If you pick up in Bellevue, you pay Bellevue's rate. The retailer charges tax based on the pickup location you select.

Is there sales tax on gym memberships or subscriptions?

No. Memberships and subscriptions are generally not taxed in Washington. A gym membership, streaming service, or magazine subscription does not have sales tax added. However, if you buy a physical item — like a yoga mat or water bottle — that item is taxed.