Taxes in Washington
Every state-level tax in Washington, in one place—income, sales, property, corporate, estate, transfer, and excise taxes. Figures sourced from the IRS, U.S. Census Bureau, and Tax Foundation.
Washington funds itself without an individual income tax, leaning instead on consumption and excise revenue. Its combined sales tax ranks 3rd of 51 nationally, a clear pillar of state revenue, while the spirits tax stands highest in the country at 1st of 51. Businesses contribute comparatively little through the corporate tax, which ranks 49th of 51. The state also collects an estate tax on estates exceeding $3,000,000, with a top rate of 20% except for deaths between January 1 and June 30, 2026, when that top rate reaches 35%. A 7% tax applies to capital gains above $250,000.
State income tax
None no state income tax.
Note: 7% tax on capital gains above $250k.
Sales tax
The combined state + local sales tax rate is 9.57%. State rate 6.50% plus an average 3.07% local.
Estate & inheritance tax
Washington taxes estates over $3,000,000 at a top rate of 20%.
Real estate transfer tax
Washington levies a transfer tax of 1.28%–3.00%3 (graduated by price).
Cigarette Tax
Washington levies a cigarette tax of $3.03 per pack of 20. Federal excise adds $1.01 per pack.
Gas Tax
Washington levies a gas tax of 60.17¢ per gallon. Federal excise adds 18.4¢ per gallon. Excludes local taxes and environmental/carbon-related costs.
Beer Tax
Washington levies a beer tax of $0.261 per gallon. Federal excise adds $0.113–$0.581 per gallon depending on brewery size.
Wine Tax
Washington levies a wine tax of $0.870 per gallon. Federal excise adds $1.07 per gallon (11% still wine). MS, NH, PA, UT, WY are control states with no published excise rate.
Spirits Tax
Washington levies a spirits tax of $36.980 per gallon. Federal excise adds $5.40 per gallon (40% ABV). NH and WY are control states with an effective $0.00 rate.
Property tax by county
The state's median county effective property tax rate is 0.73%. Compare counties below for local rates.
Counties in Washington by property tax rate
| County | Effective rate | Median home value |
|---|---|---|
| Pierce County | 0.91% | $526,600 |
| Thurston County | 0.88% | $480,300 |
| Walla Walla County | 0.85% | $408,900 |
| Columbia County | 0.85% | $271,200 |
| Spokane County | 0.84% | $410,700 |
| King County | 0.83% | $859,900 |
| Clark County | 0.82% | $522,900 |
| Cowlitz County | 0.82% | $397,500 |
| Grays Harbor County | 0.80% | $314,000 |
| Yakima County | 0.79% | $310,100 |
| Skagit County | 0.79% | $545,100 |
| Adams County | 0.79% | $273,300 |
| Grant County | 0.78% | $299,500 |
| Benton County | 0.78% | $407,800 |
| Kitsap County | 0.77% | $555,100 |
| Snohomish County | 0.77% | $696,000 |
| Douglas County | 0.77% | $432,500 |
| Okanogan County | 0.76% | $299,800 |
| Whitman County | 0.75% | $359,600 |
| Mason County | 0.73% | $411,800 |
| Franklin County | 0.72% | $379,300 |
| Clallam County | 0.72% | $421,800 |
| Asotin County | 0.72% | $325,600 |
| Chelan County | 0.71% | $490,100 |
| Pacific County | 0.71% | $334,800 |
| Jefferson County | 0.71% | $535,000 |
| Kittitas County | 0.71% | $497,400 |
| Whatcom County | 0.70% | $585,800 |
| Island County | 0.67% | $593,300 |
| Lewis County | 0.67% | $385,800 |