Back to Sales Tax Updates

Washington Sales Tax

On this page you will find handy sales and use tax information about Washington.

How to use this page:

We’ve pulled in the information from all our Charts for a consolidated view by state.  Here you can see the sales tax rates and if the state has remote seller nexus rules. You can also see any sales tax holidays or amnesty programs that may exist, though these do not apply to all states.

Below the chart you can find any News & Tip item we have published that relates to Washington that you can filter by topic. This will help you get informed on current and past legislation that has passed in the state.

State Sales Tax Rates
State Rate

6.500%
Range of Local Rates

0.5% – 4.1%
Local Rates Apply to Use Tax

Yes
Remote Seller Nexus Rules
CLICK-THROUGH NEXUS

9/1/2015 – repealed effective 3/14/2019

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

1/1/2018 – repealed effective 7/1/2019
ECONOMIC NEXUS

B&O Tax: 7/1/2017

Sales Tax as alternative to Notice/Reporting: 1/1/2018

Economic Nexus: 10/1/2018 – see state notice
MARKETPLACE NEXUS

1/1/2018
Sales Tax Amnesty
Status

Inactive

Amnesty Filing Dates

June 1, 2015 - June 30, 2015

Go to City of Tacoma Amnesty Page
AMNESTY INCLUSION PERIODS

Applies to local City of Tacoma business tax and license fees due April 30, 2015 or earlier.

TAX TYPES AND CONDITIONS

Local City of Tacoma business tax and license fees. The amnesty program applies to the following taxes: Business and Occupation (B&O) Taxes; Private Utility Taxes; Admissions Taxes; Gambling Taxes; Annual Business License Fees; Regulatory License Fees; and Unreported Liabilities.
AMNESTY BENEFITS

Interest and penalties waived, 50% of civil penalties waived.

Status

Inactive

Amnesty Filing Dates

February 1, 2011 to April 30, 2011

Go to Washington Amnesty Page
AMNESTY INCLUSION PERIODS

All tax liabilities due before February 1, 2011.

TAX TYPES AND CONDITIONS

Amnesty applies to state and local sales and use taxes, state business and occupation taxes, and state public utility taxes. Included in sales and use taxes are general retail sales and use taxes, rental car taxes, King County food and beverage tax, additional sales and use tax on sales and leases of motor vehicles, lodging taxes (not including tourism promotion area lodging charges), and brokered natural gas use tax. Application must be filed by April 18, 2011.
AMNESTY BENEFITS

Waiver of all interest and penalties for all tax returns due prior to November 25, 2010.

Administration Information
Streamlined Sales Tax Status

Full Member
NUMBER OF TAXING AUTHORITIES

371 Sales Tax Jurisdictions
HOME RULE AUTHORITIES

N/A
Sales Tax Sourcing (Intrastate)

Destination
Sales Tax Return Due Date

25th of month following reporting period. Other filing periods: last day of month following reporting period.
Exemption Information
RESALE CERTIFICATE

Washington Resale Certificate
TYPES OF EXEMPTIONS

Product types of exemptions: food, prescription drugs, sales to nonresidents, manufacturers’ machinery and equipment, newspapers, and more

 

Entity types of exemptions: federal government sales, interstate and foreign sales, sales to Indians or Indian Tribes

 

Washington Exemption Certificate Forms
State Links
State Tax Web Page

Washington Department of Revenue
Rate Look-Up Page

Washington Sales Tax Rate Look-Up
Registration Link

Register for Washington Sales Tax
History & Fun Facts
HISTORY

Washington imposed its retail sales tax and compensating use tax to supplement the retail sales tax beginning in 1935.

 

Washington became a full member of the Streamlined Sales and Use Tax Agreement by conforming its legislation, effective July 1, 2008.
FUN FACTS
  • Washington has an enhanced food fish excise tax that commercial fishers may be liable for in addition to B&O tax. “Enhanced food fish” include species of food fish, shellfish, and anadromous game fish caught in Washington territorial and adjacent waters, and several other additional fish.
  • Washington does not impose a state income tax, however it does have a Business and Occupation (B&O) tax. This is in addition to retail sales tax on all sales subject to the retailing classification of the B&O Tax. The rate ranges from .471% to 1.5% depending upon the classification.

Washington Provides Clarity on Application of Sales and B&O Tax to Online Classes

The state of Washington has published an article clarifying the application of sales and business and occupational taxes to providers of online classes.

Ride Share Vehicles in Washington Exempt from Sales Tax

Beginning September 1, 2021, vehicles purchased for certain ride-share programs will qualify for sales and use tax exemption.

Washington State Rules Against For-Profit College in Business and Occupation Tax Ruling

The Washington Department of Revenue Administrative Review and Hearings Division has ruled against a for-profit college\’s appeal of their Business and Occupation tax assessment on the basis that the college did not meet the state definition of an educational institution.

Washington DOR Issues Guidance Regarding Location of Sale for Sales Tax Collection

The Washington Department of Revenue simplified its “destination-based” sourcing rules that retailers must correctly recognize the sales tax to impose on charges related to any retail sales transaction.

Washington Amends Lease and Rental Excise Tax Rule for Certain Construction Scenarios

The Washington rule on leases or rentals of tangible personal property has been amended to clarify the state’s polices for specific construction services like concrete pumping.

Digital Reassignment of Inventory Creates Substantial Nexus in Washington

A remote seller who makes sales through a marketplace facilitator established physical presence nexus in Washington by having inventory digitally reassigned there.

Washington Enacts Exemption for Feminine Hygiene Products

Effective July 1, 2020, Washington has enacted a permanent exemption for feminine hygiene products.

Washington Enacts Additional Service and Other Activities B&O Tax Rate to Fund Workforce Education

Washington has created an additional B&O tax rate under the Service and Other Activities classification to fund Workforce Education.

Washington Updates Taxability Rule on Political Subdivision Sales and Purchases

Washington updated its rules on exemptions on sales between political subdivisions.

Sales Tax Nuances of Trade Show Attendance

Trade show attendance in another state can create physical nexus and trigger sales tax obligations. Learn key nuances of trade show rules across the states.

Sellers May Be Contacted About Other Taxes Under New Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board Rule

Sellers registered through SSTP may be contacted about other taxes in the member states where they register with the SSTP.

Refund Denied in Washington Since Taxpayer Website Advertised Tax Included

A taxpayer was denied a refund of Washington retail sales tax remitted on its ticket sales since the taxpayer’s website advertised the ticket prices as including tax.

Point-of-Sale Services Subject to Washington Sales and Use Tax

The purchase of point-of-sale (POS) services by a taxpayer was subject to Washington sales and use tax as taxable digital automated services.

Washington Enacts B&O Tax Surcharge on Services and Increases B&O Tax Rate on Financial Institutions

Effective January 1, 2020, Washington will impose a B&O tax surcharge on businesses primarily engaged in one or more specified services.

How the West Has Responded to Wayfair

A whirlwind of sales tax changes have swept across the Western region of the U.S. following the Wayfair decision.

Washington Converts Nonresident Exemption to Remittance Program

Effective July 1, 2019, Washington has converted its sales and use tax exemption for purchases by nonresidents into a remittance program.

Washington Issues Guidance on Taxability of Renewable Natural Gas

Effective July 28, 2019, the production and sale of renewable natural gas is no longer subject to Washington public utility tax.

Washington Issues Guidance on Taxability of Bitcoin-Related Activities

The Washington Department of Revenue has issued a statement regarding the taxability of bitcoin-related activities.

Washington Enacts Exemptions for Solar Energy Systems

Effective July 1, 2019 and January 1, 2020, Washington has enacted sales tax exemptions on the purchase and installation of qualified solar energy systems.

In-State Visits Created Nexus for Remote Seller in Washington

A remote seller’s in-state visits in Washington created substantial nexus for sales and use tax purposes in the state.

Washington Issues Guidance on the Taxability of Unredeemed Gift Cards

Washington has addressed options for businesses to report or recognize income from unredeemed and abandoned gift cards.

Washington Provides Guidance on Taxability of Federal Government Employee Purchases

Washington has provided guidance informing federal government employees that their purchases are only exempt from Washington sales tax if they are paid for by the federal government.

October 1, 2018 Remote Seller Deadline for Multiple States

The October 1, 2018 remote seller compliance deadline is approaching for a number of states. Click on the links below for our previous news items with more details. Alabama Enacts Economic Nexus Provision Illinois Enacts Economic Nexus Legislation Indiana Enacts…

House Introduces Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2018

On September 13, 2018, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI) and additional U.S. House members introduced the Online Sales Simplicity and Small Business Relief Act of 2018.