Question 1

What is Washington’s sales tax rate?

Accepted Answer

The state rate is 6.5%. DOR’s local-rate flyer for April 1 through June 30, 2026 lists a local rate and a combined rate for each location code, and the footnote says the combined figure includes the 6.5% state rate. There is no single Washington combined rate.

Question 2

How often do Washington local rates change?

Accepted Answer

Quarterly. A rate that was right in March can be wrong on April 1. DOR marks changes in the quarterly flyer. If you are checking a purchase, the receipt date matters.

Question 3

Is grocery food taxed in Washington?

Accepted Answer

Most grocery food is exempt from retail sales tax. Prepared food, soda, and restaurant meals are generally taxable. A 6.5% tax on a grocery subtotal of exempt food overstates the bill.

Question 4

Does Washington have an income tax I should mix in?

Accepted Answer

This page is only the retail sales-tax math. It does not compute business and occupation tax, which is a tax on the seller’s gross receipts and is not an extra line you add as if it were sales tax for the buyer.

Question 5

Is 6.5% the rate on a Seattle receipt?

Accepted Answer

No. Seattle’s combined rate is the 6.5% state rate plus local taxes and is well above 6.5%. Type the combined percent from the receipt. The 6.5% default is the state slice, illustrative as of September 2026, from DOR’s published table. Confirm on dor.wa.gov.

Washington sales tax calculator

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