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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9/1/2015 – repealed effective 3/14/2019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1/1/2018 – repealed effective 7/1/2019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 Issues Guidance for Remote Sellers following Wayfair Decision

Remote sellers exceeding Washington’s economic nexus threshold must register and collect tax beginning October 1, 2018.

Remote Seller Resources

Comprehensive list of resources for remote sellers following the South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision – including state notices, videos, articles, training opportunities, and more.

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Decision In South Dakota v. Wayfair

On June 21, 2018, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in the South Dakota v. Wayfair case, ruling in favor of South Dakota and overturning Quill’s physical presence rule.

Washington Enacts Referrer, Marketplace and Reporting Requirements Legislation, Expands Economic Nexus Provisions

Effective January 1, 2018, remote sellers, referrers, and marketplace facilitators must elect to either collect and remit Washington sales or use tax on taxable sales into Washington or comply with notice and reporting requirements.

Washington Offers Marketplace Fairness Penalty Reduction Program

The Washington State Department of Revenue has announced its Marketplace Fairness Penalty Reduction Program to help businesses comply with the state’s marketplace nexus legislation, which became effective January 1, 2018.

South Dakota v. Wayfair Analysis & Predictions: Sales Tax Experts Weigh-In

Sales tax experts lend their insight into and predictions for one of the most important U.S. Supreme Court decisions regarding sales tax in decades, South Dakota v. Wayfair.

Taxpayer Providing Digital Certificates Does Not Qualify for Human Effort Exclusion

A taxpayer that provides digital SSL certificates to businesses hosting commercial websites was liable for Washington sales tax and retail business and occupation tax.

In-State Repair Services for Nonresidents are Taxable in Washington

The Washington Department of Revenue has issued guidance regarding the taxability of repair services for nonresidents of Washington. Tangible personal property repair services performed in Washington for customers located outside of Washington are subject to Washington business and occupation (B&O)…

Multistate Tax Commission Updates Its Uniform Sales & Use Tax Exemption Certificate

The Multistate Tax Commission (MTC) revised its Multijurisdictional Uniform Sales & Use Tax Exemption/Resale Certificate on January 22, 2018 to reflect two state changes.

Remote Seller Compliance Deadlines Approaching for Multiple States

Remote seller compliance deadlines are approaching for a number of states with deadlines of February 28 or March 1.

Washington Adjusts Economic Nexus Thresholds for B&O Tax

The Washington Department of Revenue has issued revised economic nexus thresholds for state business and occupation tax purposes, effective January 1, 2018.

Record Number of Sellers Participate in 2017 MTC Amnesty Program

The volume of applicants for the 2017 online marketplace seller tax amnesty program overwhelmed the Multistate Tax Commission.

Multistate Tax Commission Announces Tax Amnesty Program for Online Sellers

The MTC organized a tax amnesty program for online sellers, running from August 17 to November 1, 2017. The voluntary disclosure program allowed sellers to start remitting sales tax on future sales without penalty or liability for unpaid, prior accumulated sales tax in 25 participating states.

No Regulation Without Representation Act of 2017 Introduced

Under the proposed House bill, a state may tax or regulate a person’s activity in interstate commerce only when the person is physically present in the state during the period in which the tax or regulation is imposed.

Congress Introduces Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017 and Remote Transactions Parity Act of 2017

Introduced on April 27, 2017, the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2017, if enacted, would authorize states meeting certain requirements to require remote sellers that do not meet a small seller exception to collect their state and local sales and use taxes.

Washington Issues Guidance on New Tax Preference Transparency Requirements

\”Tax preference” means an exemption, exclusion, deduction, credit, deferral, or preferential rate for a tax administered by the Department of Revenue. New tax preferences automatically expire in 10 years unless an express expiration date applies.

Company Liable for Deferred Washington Sales Tax Under Community Empowerment Zone Program

A manufacturer that was granted a community empowerment zone deferral of Washington sales tax was liable for the deferred taxes because it failed to hire the number of employees required by the program.

Evasion Penalty for Failing to Remit Sales Tax is Upheld in Washington

A contractor was subject to the Washington evasion penalty because it billed and collected sales tax from customers but failed to remit it to the Washington Department of Revenue.

Washington Issues Notice on Class Action Settlement

Washington reminds taxpayers that state law does not permit the Washington Department of Revenue to provide direct sales tax refunds to consumers in the context of class action settlements.

In-State Activity Created Nexus for Taxation of Drop Shipments in Washington

A distributor was found liable for business and occupation tax on national and drop-shipped sales because it failed to show that its activities in Washington are not associated with its ability to establish and maintain a market in-state.

Online Sales Simplification Act of 2016 Discussion Draft is Introduced

The proposed legislation would implement a “hybrid origin” approach for remote sales. States could impose sales tax on remote sales if the origin state participates in a clearinghouse.

Out-of-State Seller of Nutritional Supplements Created Nexus in Washington

An out-of-state retailer was liable for Washington sales tax and business and occupation tax because it had substantial nexus with the state, largely due to employees participating in trade shows and other activities in Washington.

No Regulation Without Representation Act of 2016 Introduced

Taking the opposite approach of the Marketplace Fairness Act and Remote Transactions Parity Act, the proposed bill would limit the ability of states to require remote sellers to collect use tax. However, the bill failed to pass.

Washington Enacts Exemption for Construction of Buildings for Airplane Maintenance

Effective from July 1, 2016 until January 1, 2027, Washington enacted a sales and use tax exemption for charges for labor and services rendered for construction of new buildings made to an eligible maintenance repair operator.