The Evergreen state’s retail sales tax is made up of the state rate – 6.5% – and the local sales tax rate, which varies depending on the location
Brett Davis
The Center Square Washington
Washington state’s average combined state and local sales tax rate is the fourth-highest in the nation at 9.4%, according to a midyear report released by the Tax Foundation.
“This report provides a population-weighted average of local sales taxes as of July 1, 2023, to give a sense of the average local rate for each state,” the introduction of the report by the Washington, D.C.-based think tank reads.
As for methodology, the report states, “Sales Tax Clearinghouse publishes quarterly sales tax data at the state, county, and city levels by ZIP code. We weight these numbers according to the most recent Census 2021 population figures to give a sense of the prevalence of sales tax rates in a particular state. This is a change from previous editions, where we used figures available every decade. While changes due to the new weighting were mostly trivial, we show changes in rank based on January 1 figures recalculated under the new population weighting. Due to the updated population weighting, this report is not strictly comparable to previously published editions, though differences amount to minor rounding errors.”
The Evergreen state’s retail sales tax is made up of the state rate – 6.5% – and the local sales tax rate, which varies depending on the location. The Tax Foundation report, which came out Wednesday, notes the average local tax rate in Washington is nearly 2.9%.
There are a total of 186 local tax jurisdictions across Washington, according to the SalesTaxHandbook website, which has a list of all 39 counties in the state and the maximum sales tax rate that occurs within each county.
Snohomish County, situated between northern Puget Sound to the west and the crest line of the North Cascade Range to the east, has the highest combined sales tax rate at 10.6%.
Skamania County in the southwestern portion of the state has the lowest combined sales tax rate at 7.7%.
Forty-five states and the District of Columbia collect statewide sales taxes, and local sales taxes are collected in 38 states, according to the Tax Foundation report.
Per the report, only three states have a higher combined sales tax rate than Washington: Tennessee (9.548%), Louisiana (9.547%) and Arkansas (9.44%).
This report was first published by The Center Square Washington.
Also read:
- Fiscal fallout: $375 million bond debt indirectly funding operating budget
Shifting $375 million from a loan fund impacts local infrastructure as Washington state covers operating costs with bond debt, prompting concern among officials and advocacy groups. - Lawsuit aims to block new eligibility requirements for WA sheriffs
Four sheriffs are suing over a state law that sets new eligibility rules, arguing it undermines voter authority by allowing removal for certification issues. - Opinion: The growing gap between public voice and political power
Todd Myers describes how large-scale protest and sign-ins often fail to sway state leaders, and argues authentic influence is most likely found through local action. - City of Battle Ground seeks applicants for Salary Commission vacancy
Battle Ground seeks a resident to join its independent Salary Commission, which reviews compensation and health benefits for local elected officials through 2027. - Opinion: Who is winning the race for affordable power?
Hydroelectric power keeps Washington competitive, but new laws and carbon pricing are driving up electricity costs for residents each year. - Vancouver Fire Department assists with Columbia River Marina fire response
Vancouver Fire Department joined Clark-Cowlitz and Scappoose crews to help fight a vessel and dock fire at Goble Marina, assisting in river operations where one boat sank and another was partially submerged. - White House govt. Funding request for 2027 cuts $73 billion
President Trump’s budget seeks to boost defense funding while cutting $73 billion from agencies like the EPA, NASA, and Agriculture, prompting sharp criticism from Democratic leaders.
wpDiscuz
