Washington's sales tax rate and what it covers
Washington State has no income tax, but it makes up for that with a state sales tax of 6.5 percent. When you buy something in Washington, you pay 6.5 percent on top of the price tag. However, your actual total tax is almost always higher because counties and cities add their own local sales taxes on top of the state rate.
The combined rate you see at checkout depends on where you are. In Seattle, for example, the total is 10.25 percent (6.5 percent state plus 3.75 percent local). In Spokane, it's 8.9 percent. In some smaller towns, it might be 7.5 percent. The state rate stays the same everywhere, but local rates vary by location.
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. Some items like prescription medications and certain foods are exempt.
Key Takeaways
- Washington's state sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your actual tax rate is higher because cities and counties add local taxes on top.
- The combined rate ranges from about 7.5 percent to over 10 percent depending on which city or county you are in.
- Sales tax applies to most goods but not to services, prescription medications, or certain food items.
- You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website or asking a retailer.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may or may not include Washington sales tax depending on the seller's policies.
How local taxes stack on top of the state rate
Washington allows cities and counties to set their own sales tax rates within limits. A city might add 1 percent, a county might add 2.5 percent, and a regional transit district might add another 0.5 percent. All of these stack on top of the 6.5 percent state rate, which is why two towns 20 miles apart can have different totals.
The highest combined rates in the state are around 10.5 percent, found in places like Seattle and parts of King County. The lowest are around 7.5 percent in some rural areas. If you live near a city border, you might notice the tax changes depending on which side of the line you shop on.
Local taxes fund schools, transit systems, and other services specific to that area. The state Department of Revenue publishes a complete list of rates by location, and most retailers' registers automatically calculate the correct rate based on the store's address.
What is and is not taxed in Washington
Most physical items you buy are taxed: clothes, shoes, furniture, electronics, toys, books, and household goods. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed. Gasoline is taxed (though there is also a separate fuel tax). Alcohol and tobacco are taxed at the regular sales tax rate, plus they have their own excise taxes on top.
Items that are not subject to sales tax include prescription medications, medical equipment like wheelchairs or hearing aids, and most services. A haircut, dental work, car repair, plumbing service, and house cleaning are not taxed. Groceries sold at a supermarket—like milk, bread, vegetables, and meat—are generally not taxed, but prepared foods and items from a deli counter are.
The line between taxed and untaxed can be confusing. A candy bar is taxed, but a loaf of bread is not. A hot rotisserie chicken from a grocery store is taxed, but raw chicken is not. When in doubt, ask the cashier or check your receipt after purchase.
Finding your exact local sales tax rate
To find the exact rate where you live or shop, visit the Washington Department of Revenue website and use their sales tax rate lookup tool. You enter your address or zip code, and it shows you the combined state and local rate for that location.
You can also call the Department of Revenue at 1-800-647-7706 or ask any retailer in your area. Most stores know their local rate and can tell you when ready. Your receipt will also show the exact rate applied to your purchase.
If you are shopping online or ordering from out of state, the tax situation is more complicated. Some online retailers charge Washington sales tax automatically; others do not. If you buy from a seller that does not charge tax, you may owe use tax on that purchase when you file your state tax return, though most individual shoppers do not report this.
How Washington uses sales tax revenue
The state portion of sales tax (6.5 percent) goes into Washington's general fund, which pays for schools, highways, public safety, and other state services. The local portions fund city and county services like police, fire, libraries, parks, and public transportation.
Washington relies heavily on sales tax because it has no state income tax. This means the tax burden falls more on people who spend money than on people who earn it. Someone who spends a lot pays more tax; someone who saves most of their income pays less.
Sales tax on specific items you might question
Groceries: Most unprepared food is not taxed. This includes raw meat, produce, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Prepared foods—deli items, hot foods, and restaurant meals—are taxed.
Clothing: All clothing and shoes are taxed, with no dollar limit. Even a $1 pair of socks and a $500 coat are both taxed at the full rate.
Digital goods: Software, e-books, and digital downloads are taxed. Streaming services like Netflix or Spotify are not taxed in Washington.
Alcohol and tobacco: These are taxed at the regular sales tax rate, plus they have separate excise taxes. A pack of cigarettes or a bottle of beer includes both.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on online orders from Washington retailers?
Yes, if you order from a Washington retailer and have it shipped to a Washington address, sales tax applies. The retailer should charge the tax rate for your delivery address. If they do not, you may owe use tax on your state return, though enforcement for individual purchases is rare.
What if I buy something online from a store in another state?
It depends on the retailer. Large national retailers like Amazon usually charge Washington sales tax on orders shipped to Washington. Smaller out-of-state retailers may not. If tax is not charged and you live in Washington, technically you owe use tax, but this is rarely enforced for individual shoppers.
Are there any items that are always tax-free in Washington?
Prescription medications and medical equipment are always tax-free. Unprepared groceries are tax-free. Services like haircuts, repairs, and medical care are tax-free. Everything else is generally taxed unless it falls into a specific exemption.
Can I get a sales tax refund if I overpaid?
If a retailer charged you the wrong rate, contact them with your receipt and they can issue a refund. If you paid tax on an item that should have been exempt, the retailer can also refund it. Keep your receipts if you think an error occurred.
Why is Washington's sales tax so high compared to other states?
Washington has no income tax, so it relies on sales tax to fund state services. This makes the sales tax rate higher than in states that use income tax. The trade-off is that people who do not spend much money pay less tax overall, while high earners pay more than they would in an income tax state.