The Washington state sales tax rate is 6.5% in 2026. When county and city taxes are added, the combined rate ranges from 6.5% in areas with no local additions up to 10.6% in the highest-taxed jurisdictions. The most populated areas of Washington — including King County — have a combined rate of 10.25%.
Washington State has no state income tax and relies heavily on sales tax. Seattle has one of the highest combined rates of any major US city. Washington exempts groceries but taxes prepared food and restaurant meals.
💡 Quick Reference: $100 purchase in Washington at the average combined rate costs approximately $108.55 after tax. Use the calculator above to find the exact amount for any county or city in Washington.
Groceries in Washington are exempt from Washington state sales tax. Clothing purchases are taxable at full rate. Prescription drugs and medical devices are generally exempt from sales tax in Washington, as they are in most US states.
Common Washington Sales Tax Exemptions
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Prescription Medicine
Prescription drugs are fully exempt from Washington sales tax.
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Grocery Food
Unprepared groceries are exempt from Washington state sales tax in Washington.
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Manufacturing Equipment
Equipment used directly in manufacturing is generally exempt.
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Agricultural Supplies
Seeds, livestock, and farm feed are generally exempt in Washington.
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Clothing
Clothing is taxable at full rate in Washington.
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Textbooks
Textbooks for educational use are often exempt or reduced rate.
How Does Washington Sales Tax Work?
Sales tax in Washington is collected at the point of purchase by retailers and remitted to the Washington Department of Revenue. The total rate you pay is the sum of the Washington state rate (6.5%) plus any applicable county and city rates in your location.
Businesses with a physical presence in Washington — including offices, warehouses, or employees — have sales tax nexus and must collect and remit Washington sales tax. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, remote sellers with $100,000+ in Washington annual sales or 200+ Washington transactions must also register and collect Washington sales tax even without a physical presence.
📅 Washington Sales Tax Filing: Returns are typically due on the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annual) is assigned by the Washington Department of Revenue based on your sales volume. File and pay online through the Washington state tax portal.
The Washington state sales tax rate is 6.5% in 2026. With county and city additions, combined rates range from 6.5% to 10.6% depending on your location. The most common combined rate in populated Washington counties is around 8.55%. Use the calculator above to find the exact rate for your specific county and city.
Groceries in Washington are exempt from Washington state sales tax. This applies to unprepared food items purchased at grocery stores. Prepared food (restaurant meals, hot food from a deli counter) is generally taxed at the full combined rate regardless of state grocery exemptions.
To calculate Washington sales tax, multiply your purchase amount by the combined rate (as a decimal). For example, a $200 purchase in King County at 10.25%: $200 × 0.1025 = $20.50 in sales tax, making the total $220.50. Or simply use the free Washington sales tax calculator at the top of this page.
Yes, if you meet Washington’s economic nexus threshold. Remote sellers must collect and remit Washington sales tax if they have $100,000 or more in Washington sales or 200+ separate Washington transactions in a calendar year. This applies to all online sellers including Amazon FBA sellers, Shopify stores, and marketplace sellers. Marketplace facilitators like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay collect and remit on behalf of their sellers in Washington.
Most services are not subject to Washington sales tax, which primarily applies to the sale of tangible personal property. However, certain services are taxable in Washington — including some digital services, repair services, and services that are inseparable from a taxable product. Consult the Washington Department of Revenue or a tax professional for guidance on specific service types.
The highest combined sales tax rate in Washington is 10.6%, which occurs in areas with the maximum local tax additions on top of the 6.5% state base rate. The lowest rate is the state base rate of 6.5% in areas with no local taxes. See the county-by-county table above for the exact rate in each area of Washington.