Washington State Sales Tax Rates by County and City

Washington's statewide sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your actual rate depends on where you shop

Washington has no income tax, so the state relies on sales tax to fund schools, roads, and services. The base rate is 6.5 percent statewide, but most counties and cities add their own local tax on top of that. Your total rate — what you actually pay at checkout — ranges from 6.5 percent in a few rural areas to 10.25 percent in some cities. The rate that applies is determined by the address of the store where you make the purchase, not where you live.

This means a bottle of milk costs different amounts in tax depending on which grocery store you visit. A $100 purchase in one neighborhood might have $6.50 in tax, while the same item in a store across town could have $8.50 or more. Understanding your local rate matters most for large purchases — furniture, appliances, vehicles — where the difference adds up quickly.

Key Takeaways

• Washington's base sales tax is 6.5 percent, but local taxes add 0 to 3.75 percent depending on the city and county where you shop.
• The tax rate that applies is based on the store's location, not your home address or where you live.
• Most Washington cities charge between 8 and 9.5 percent total sales tax, with Seattle at 10.25 percent and some rural areas at just 6.5 percent.
• You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website or asking a cashier.

How the tax is split between state and local

The 6.5 percent state rate goes to Olympia. On top of that, your county adds a tax (usually 0.5 to 1.5 percent), and your city may add another layer (usually 0.5 to 2.25 percent). Some special districts — for transit, stadiums, or other projects — add even more. Each layer is separate, so they stack on top of each other.

King County, which includes Seattle, has a state rate of 6.5 percent plus a county rate of 0.5 percent. Seattle itself adds 1.75 percent more. That brings the total to 8.75 percent in most of Seattle. But the neighborhoods of Shoreline and Renton, which border Seattle, have different city rates, so their totals are different even though they are in the same county.

Sales tax rates in major Washington cities

The following table shows the combined state, county, and city rates in Washington's largest cities. Rates change occasionally when cities or counties pass new measures, so check the Department of Revenue website to confirm the current rate for your exact location.

City	County	Total Sales Tax Rate
Seattle	King	10.25%
Tacoma	Pierce	10.4%
Vancouver	Clark	8.9%
Spokane	Spokane	8.9%
Bellevue	King	10.25%
Everett	Snohomish	10.4%
Kent	King	10.25%
Renton	King	10.25%

Tacoma and Everett have among the highest rates in the state because Pierce and Snohomish counties both have higher local rates than King County. If you live near a county or city border, you might save money by shopping on the other side — though the difference is usually only a few dollars unless you are buying something expensive.

What is and is not taxed in Washington

Most items you buy in a store are taxed: clothing, electronics, furniture, toys, and household goods. Groceries are not taxed — milk, bread, vegetables, and meat are all exempt. Prescription medications are also exempt, but over-the-counter drugs like pain relievers or cold medicine are taxed.

Services are usually not taxed, which is why a haircut or car repair does not have sales tax added. But some services do have tax: dry cleaning, car washes, and some repairs to tangible property are taxed in Washington. If you are unsure whether something is taxed, the receipt will show it — taxed items have the tax amount listed separately.

Finding your exact local rate

The Washington Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website. You enter your street address, and it shows you the exact rate for that location. This is the most reliable way to know your rate, because it accounts for all local taxes including special districts.

You can also call your city or county assessor's office, or straightforward ask a cashier at a store in your area. Most retailers know their local rate because they collect the tax every day. If you are shopping online and the seller is based in Washington, they will charge your local rate based on the delivery address you provide.

How online purchases are taxed

Online retailers must charge Washington sales tax on orders shipped to Washington addresses, regardless of where the retailer is located. The tax rate applied is based on the delivery address, not the seller's location. So if you order something online to be delivered to your Seattle home, you pay Seattle's 10.25 percent rate, even if the company is based in another state.

This rule applies to most major retailers. Some very small sellers may not collect tax, but if they do not, you may be responsible for reporting and paying the tax yourself on your state tax return — though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases. When in doubt, check the retailer's tax policy before checkout.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Washington have sales tax on groceries?

No. Groceries — including milk, bread, produce, meat, and eggs — are exempt from sales tax in Washington. However, prepared foods like deli items, hot food, and items from a restaurant are taxed. The distinction is whether the food is ready to eat or requires preparation at home.

What is the sales tax on a car purchase in Washington?

Cars are subject to the same sales tax rate as other items, based on where the dealership is located. If you buy a car in Seattle, you pay 10.25 percent tax on the purchase price. If you buy the same car at a dealership in a nearby county with a lower rate, the tax will be lower. Some people travel to lower-tax areas to buy expensive items, though the savings may not justify the trip.

Do I pay sales tax on used items?

Yes. Used items sold by a retailer — used cars from a dealership, used furniture from a store — are taxed at the same rate as new items. Private sales between individuals are not subject to sales tax, which is why buying a used car from a private seller costs less in tax than buying from a dealer.

Can I get a sales tax refund if I move out of Washington?

No. Washington does not issue refunds for sales tax paid on items you purchased before moving. However, if you buy something in Washington and have it shipped to another state before you move, you may not owe Washington tax — the tax depends on the delivery address at the time of purchase.

Why is my receipt showing a different tax rate than I expected?

The rate on your receipt is based on the store's exact address, which may be in a different city or district than you thought. Stores near city borders sometimes have rates that surprise customers. Check the store's address against the Department of Revenue lookup tool to confirm the correct rate for that location.