Overview of Washington Taxes
Washington has no personal income tax. The state has some of the highest sales taxes in the country, though. Washington property taxes rank in the middle when compared to other states.
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Your Income Taxes Breakdown
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* These are the taxes owed for the 2025 - 2026 filing season.
Your 2025 Federal Income Tax Comparison
- Your marginal federal income tax rate
- Your effective federal income tax rate
- Your federal income taxes
Total Estimated 2025 Tax BurdenIncome Tax $ Sales Tax $ Fuel Tax $ Property Tax$ Total Estimated Tax Burden $ Percent of income to taxes = % | $ |
- About This Answer
Our income tax calculator calculates your federal, state and local taxes based on several key inputs: your household income, location, filing status and number of personal exemptions.
How Income Taxes Are Calculated
- First, we calculate your adjusted gross income (AGI) by taking your total household income and reducing it by certain items such as contributions to your 401(k).
- Next, from AGI we subtract exemptions and deductions (either itemized or standard) to get your taxable income. Exemptions can be claimed for each taxpayer as well as dependents such as one’s spouse or children.
- Based on your filing status, your taxable income is then applied to the the tax brackets to calculate your federal income taxes owed for the year.
- Your location will determine whether you owe local and / or state taxes.
- Last Updated: January 1, 2026
When Do We Update? - We regularly check for any updates to the latest tax rates and regulations.
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Taxes in Washington State
Washington State Tax Quick Facts
- Income tax: None
- Sales tax: 6.5% - 10.60%
- Property tax: 0.79% median effective rate
- Gas tax: 55.4 cents per gallon of regular gasoline
Washington is one of several states without a personal income tax, but that doesn’t mean that the Evergreen State is a tax haven. While taxpayers in Washington avoid income taxes, they pay some of the highest sales taxes in the country, with an average combined state and local rate of 8.951%. The state’s effective property tax rate (median property taxes divided by th median home value) ranks 24th highest.
A financial advisor can help you understand how taxes fit into your overall financial goals. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
Washington State Income Taxes
There are no income taxes in Washington State. While the idea to enact an income tax has been floated in the state legislature and at the ballot box over the years, none of the proposed measures have passed. This means that once you’ve finished your federal tax return, you’re done with your taxes for the year.
Washington State Sales Tax
The flip side of the state’s income tax-free status is its high sales taxes. The state’s base sales tax rate is 6.5%. But since cities and counties collect additional sales taxes on top of that rate, rates are typically at least 8%, and sometimes higher than 10%. The table below shows sales tax rates for all of the counties in Washington.
Those taxes apply to nearly all tangible goods sold in the state of Washington, as well as many services. Vehicle sales face an additional 0.3% tax on top of the total sales tax rate. The vehicle sales tax jumps to 0.5% on Jan. 1, 2026.
On the other hand, there are a number of important exemptions. Groceries, newspapers and prescription drugs are exempt, although prepared food and soft drinks are not.
Washington State Property Tax
If you’re thinking about buying a house on the Puget Sound or in sunny Eastern Washington, you’ll want to take the cost of local property taxes into account. The effective property tax rate (property taxes as a percentage of total home value) in Washington is 0.79%.
There is also a statewide tax on real estate sales in Washington. This tax, officially called the real estate excise tax (REET), is equal to a specific percentage of the price of the home being sold, and it is typically paid by the seller. Cities also have the option to levy an additional 0.25% tax on property sales.
In recent years, Washington revamped the rate structure for its REET tax. Below is a breakdown of what Washington residents will pay in these taxes when they sell their home.
Washington State Estate Tax
Washington applies an exclusion amount that is deducted from the estate before any tax is calculated. For deaths on or after Jan. 1, 2026, this exclusion may be adjusted each year based on the Seattle metropolitan area October consumer price index. The state uses a graduated rate structure, with each bracket taxed at its own rate. For decedents who die on or after July 1, 2025, rates range from 10% to 35% of the Washington taxable estate. For deaths occurring between Jan. 1, 2014, and June 30, 2025, the rates range from 10% to 20%.
Washington State Spirits Tax
There are two taxes on spirits in Washington, which has the largest alcohol tax in the country. The first is a sales tax of 20.5% for retail sales and 13.7% for sales made in restaurants and bars. The second is a volume tax, called the spirits liter tax, which is equal to $3.7708 per liter (retail) or $2.4408 per liter (restaurants and bars). Those taxes combined give Washington one of the highest liquor taxes in the country.
Washington State Marijuana Tax
As of 2014, recreational marijuana is legal in the state of Washington. It's also heavily taxed, facing an excise tax rate of 37% of the sales price.
- Seattle, the largest city in Washington State, averages 71 sunny days a year.
- Mount Rainier National Park is the fifth oldest national park in the country. It receives over 1.5 million visitors per year.
- Washington State is the nation’s leading producer of apples.
