What is the sales tax rate in Seattle?
The combined sales tax rate in Seattle, Washington is between 10.3% and 10.55% as of 2026. It is made up of the Washington statewide base rate of 6.5%, plus applicable King County and local district taxes. Seattle sits within King County, and the rate can vary slightly across ZIP codes because of special district additions (see the ZIP breakdown below).
Sales tax in Washington is administered by the Washington State Department of Revenue, which collects and distributes tax on behalf of the state and its local jurisdictions. The rate applies to most retail sales of tangible personal property delivered within Seattle.
Who needs to collect sales tax in Seattle, Washington?
Any business with sales tax nexus in Washington must register, collect, and remit sales tax on taxable sales delivered to Seattle. Nexus is established through:
- Physical presence: an office, store, warehouse, employee, or inventory located in Washington.
- Economic nexus: exceeding $100,000 in sales to Washington customers in the current or prior year.
- Marketplace facilitators: platforms such as Amazon or Etsy collect and remit on behalf of their third-party sellers.
Out-of-state (remote) sellers that cross Washington's economic nexus threshold must register with the Washington State Department of Revenue before continuing to sell into the state.
How do you register for a sales tax permit in Seattle?
To collect sales tax in Seattle, you must register for a sales tax permit with the Washington State Department of Revenue. Registration is generally free. You will typically need your EIN or SSN, business entity details, bank account information, and an estimate of your monthly Washington sales. Most permits are issued within a few business days of an online application.
How do you charge the right sales tax in Seattle?
Sales tax in Seattle is charged based on the delivery address. For orders shipped to a Seattle address, the combined rate of between 10.3% and 10.55% generally applies; for in-store sales, the rate is based on the store's location. Because some ZIP codes within King County carry additional special-district taxes, always confirm the exact rate for the specific delivery ZIP code. The tables below show the most common Seattle ZIP codes and how Seattle compares with other cities in King County and across Washington.
