Washington's sales tax rate and what it covers

Washington State has no income tax, but it makes up for that with sales tax. The state sales tax is 6.5 percent, and most counties add their own local sales tax on top of it. Your total rate depends on where you live — it ranges from 6.5 percent in a few counties to over 10 percent in others. When you buy something at a store or online, the sales tax is calculated on the purchase price and added to your bill at checkout.

Not everything is taxed the same way. Groceries — food you cook at home — are exempt from sales tax in Washington. That means milk, bread, vegetables, and meat have no sales tax added. But prepared food, restaurant meals, and food you eat there are taxed at the full rate. Some items like prescription medications and medical equipment are also exempt.

Clothing and shoes are tax-free in Washington, which is one of the few states that does this. That applies to regular clothing, not special items like sports equipment or protective gear. If you buy a shirt or pair of jeans, you pay no sales tax on it.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington State's base sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your county or city may add local tax, bringing your total rate to between 6.5 and over 10 percent depending on where you shop.
  • Groceries and most food you cook at home are not taxed, but restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed at the full rate.
  • Clothing and shoes have no sales tax in Washington, a benefit that applies to most regular apparel but not sports equipment.
  • You can find your exact local sales tax rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website or asking a store cashier.

How local sales tax adds to the state rate

The 6.5 percent state rate is the floor. On top of that, counties and cities collect their own local sales tax. King County (which includes Seattle) adds 3.6 percent, bringing the total to 10.1 percent in some areas. Snohomish County adds 3.6 percent as well. Other counties add between 0.5 and 2.5 percent. The exact rate you pay depends on the city or unincorporated area where the sale happens.

Local tax rates change sometimes when counties or cities vote to raise or lower them. If you move or shop in a different city, your rate may be different. The best way to know your exact rate is to check the Washington Department of Revenue website — you can enter your address and it will show you the combined state and local rate for that location.

What is and is not taxed in Washington

Beyond groceries and clothing, several other categories are exempt. Prescription drugs and over-the-counter medications like aspirin or cold medicine are not taxed. Medical equipment — wheelchairs, hearing aids, diabetic supplies — is also exempt. Durable medical equipment that a doctor prescribes is treated differently than general health products.

Most services are not taxed in Washington, which is why a haircut or dental cleaning has no sales tax. However, some services that involve selling a product — like a car repair that includes parts — may be taxed on the parts portion. Labor alone is usually not taxed.

Items that are taxed include electronics, furniture, books, toys, and most other goods. Digital products like e-books, software, and streaming subscriptions are taxed in Washington. If you buy something online from an out-of-state seller, Washington sales tax still applies if the seller has a physical presence in the state or meets certain sales thresholds.

Sales tax on online and out-of-state purchases

If you order something online from a retailer that has a warehouse or office in Washington, you owe Washington sales tax on that purchase. Large online retailers like Amazon collect and send Washington sales tax to the state. The tax is added to your order total just as it would be in a physical store.

If you buy from a small out-of-state seller that has no presence in Washington, the seller may not collect Washington tax at checkout. However, you are technically responsible for paying use tax — which is Washington's version of sales tax on out-of-state purchases. In practice, most people do not pay use tax on individual purchases, but the obligation exists. If you run a business and buy inventory out of state, you may need to track and report use tax.

Who collects sales tax and where it goes

Retailers collect sales tax from you at the point of sale and send it to the Washington Department of Revenue. The state then distributes the money to counties, cities, and special districts based on where the sale occurred. Some of the local tax goes to schools, some to public transportation, and some to general city or county budgets — the exact breakdown depends on what the local jurisdiction voted to use it for.

When you see sales tax on your receipt, that money does not stay with the store. The store acts as a collector and passes it along to the government. Stores are required to report their sales tax collections monthly or quarterly, depending on their size.

How to find your exact sales tax rate

The Washington Department of Revenue has a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website. You enter your street address, city, and zip code, and it shows you the combined state and local rate for that location. This is the most accurate way to know what you will pay, since rates vary by neighborhood in some cases.

You can also call your city or county assessor's office and ask for the current sales tax rate. Many stores will also tell you the rate if you ask. Keep in mind that rates can change if a local measure passes, so if you are planning a large purchase, it is worth checking the current rate first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Washington?

No. Food you buy to cook at home — produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods — is not taxed. But prepared foods like deli items, hot foods, and restaurant meals are taxed at the full rate. If you buy a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store, it is taxed because it is prepared food.

Are clothes and shoes taxed in Washington?

No. Regular clothing and shoes are exempt from sales tax in Washington. This includes shirts, pants, jackets, socks, and most footwear. Items like sports equipment, protective gear, or costumes may be taxed differently, but everyday apparel is tax-free.

What is the difference between sales tax and use tax?

Sales tax is collected by a retailer when you buy something. Use tax is what you owe on purchases from out-of-state sellers who do not collect Washington tax. You are responsible for reporting and paying use tax yourself, though most individual shoppers do not. Businesses are more likely to track and pay use tax on inventory purchases.

Why does Washington have no income tax?

Washington's state constitution has been interpreted to prohibit a tax on wages and salaries. Instead, the state relies on sales tax, property tax, and other revenue sources. This is why Washington's sales tax is higher than many other states — it has to make up for the lack of income tax revenue.

Do online purchases from Amazon get Washington sales tax?

Yes. Amazon has warehouses and offices in Washington, so it collects and sends Washington sales tax on orders shipped to Washington addresses. The tax is added to your order total at checkout, just like in a physical store.