Washington's sales tax rate and how it works

Washington State has no income tax, but it does have a sales tax that applies when you buy most goods and some services. The state sales tax rate is 6.5 percent, but your total tax bill depends on where you live — cities and counties add their own local sales taxes on top of the state rate.

When you buy something at a store or online, the tax you see at checkout includes the state 6.5 percent plus any local taxes for your location. A purchase that costs $100 in one Washington city might have a different total tax than the same purchase in another city, even though the state portion stays the same.

Sales tax in Washington applies to tangible goods — things you can touch and take home — as well as some services. Groceries, clothing, and household items are taxed. Some services like haircuts, repairs, and restaurant meals are also taxed, though the rules vary by service type.

Key Takeaways

  • Washington State's sales tax is 6.5 percent, but your actual tax rate depends on your city and county, which add local taxes on top.
  • Sales tax applies to most goods you buy in stores and online, plus certain services like restaurant meals and haircuts.
  • Some items are exempt from sales tax, including most groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment.
  • When you buy something online from an out-of-state seller, Washington sales tax may still explore depending on the seller's location and your delivery address.
  • Your receipt shows the combined state and local tax rate for your specific location, not just the state rate alone.

Local sales tax rates vary by city and county

The 6.5 percent state rate is only the starting point. Every city and county in Washington adds its own local sales tax on top of that amount. Local rates range from about 0.5 percent to over 3 percent depending on where you are, which means your total sales tax can range from roughly 7 percent to over 10 percent.

For example, King County (which includes Seattle) has a combined rate that is higher than a rural county in Eastern Washington. Even within King County, different cities may have slightly different rates because some cities add their own local tax in addition to the county tax.

You can find your exact local rate by entering your address on the Washington Department of Revenue website, or by checking your receipt from a recent purchase — the tax rate printed there is your combined state and local rate. When you move to a different city or county, your sales tax rate changes.

What items are exempt from sales tax

Not everything you buy is taxed. Washington exempts certain items from sales tax, most notably groceries. Food you buy at a grocery store to prepare at home — bread, milk, vegetables, meat — is not taxed. However, prepared food and restaurant meals are taxed.

Prescription medications and certain medical equipment are also exempt. If you have a prescription from a doctor, the medication is not taxed. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and cold medicine are taxed, but prescription items are not.

Some other exempt items include most clothing and footwear (though certain items like athletic shoes may have different rules depending on how they are classified), newspapers, and certain agricultural equipment. The exemption rules can be detailed, so if you are unsure whether a specific item is taxed, you can contact the Washington Department of Revenue or ask at the point of sale.

How sales tax applies to online purchases

When you order something online and have it shipped to a Washington address, you owe Washington sales tax on that purchase. The seller is responsible for collecting and sending that tax to the state, even if the seller is located outside Washington.

Large online retailers like Amazon collect Washington sales tax automatically at checkout. Smaller sellers may not always collect it, which means you could owe tax when you file your state return. If a seller did not collect tax on an online purchase delivered to Washington, you may owe it as use tax — a tax on items you use in Washington that were not taxed when purchased.

In practice, most people do not track and report use tax on individual purchases. However, if you make frequent large purchases from sellers who do not collect Washington tax, the state may pursue that tax through an audit. The safest approach is to buy from sellers who collect Washington tax at checkout.

Sales tax on services and special categories

Services are taxed differently than goods. Restaurant meals and prepared food are taxed at the full sales tax rate. Haircuts, dry cleaning, and repair services are also taxed. However, some services are not taxed — for example, labor on construction projects is generally not subject to sales tax, though materials are.

Digital goods and services have their own rules. Software, digital downloads, and streaming services may or may not be taxed depending on how they are classified and whether they are considered goods or services. When you buy a physical item like a book or CD, it is taxed. When you buy the digital version, the tax treatment can differ.

Certain business-to-business transactions are exempt from sales tax if the buyer has a resale certificate. If you are a business buying items to resell, you do not pay sales tax on those purchases — your customers pay tax when they buy the final product from you.

How to find your specific sales tax rate

Your sales tax rate depends entirely on where you live or where you are making the purchase. The easiest way to find your exact rate is to check a recent receipt — the tax rate shown there is your combined state and local rate for that location.

You can also look up your rate on the Washington Department of Revenue website by entering your city and zip code. The site will show you the state rate, the local rate, and the combined total. If you are moving to a new location or shopping in a different city, your rate may change.

When you make a purchase online, the seller should calculate tax based on your delivery address. If you are unsure whether tax was included in your online order, check your receipt or order confirmation — it should show the tax amount and the rate applied.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washington sales tax the same everywhere in the state?

No. The state rate is 6.5 percent everywhere, but cities and counties add local taxes on top. Your total rate depends on your specific location and can range from about 7 percent to over 10 percent. Check your receipt or the Department of Revenue website to find your exact rate.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries?

Most groceries are exempt from sales tax in Washington. Food you buy at a grocery store to prepare at home — produce, meat, dairy, bread — is not taxed. Prepared foods like deli items, restaurant meals, and ready-to-eat foods are taxed at the full sales tax rate.

What is use tax and do I have to pay it?

Use tax is a tax on items you buy outside Washington and use in the state, or items purchased from sellers who did not collect Washington sales tax. Technically you owe it, but most individuals do not report it unless they make large purchases. Large retailers collect it automatically, so most people never encounter it.

Do I pay Washington sales tax on online purchases?

Yes, if the item is shipped to a Washington address. Large online sellers collect the tax automatically at checkout. Smaller sellers may not, which means you could owe use tax on those purchases. Most major retailers handle this for you.

Are prescription medications taxed in Washington?

No. Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax. Over-the-counter medications like pain relievers and cold medicine are taxed. If you have a prescription from a doctor, the medication is not subject to sales tax.