Washington Income Taxes

Since Washington does not collect an income tax on individuals, you are not required to file a WA state income tax return. However, you may need to prepare and e-file a federal income tax return or other state tax return.

Start Federal Income Tax Return

Washington Tax Facts, Information

Washington Tax Information and Contacts

Tax Type

Description

Washington Income Tax Code

Washington has no personal income tax code.

Capital Gains Tax

Washington has a 7.0% long term capital gains tax which applies on the sale of stocks, bonds, business interest, and other investments. However, the capital gains tax does not to apply to other assets such as real estate, retirement accounts, certain livestock, commercial fishing privileges, and more. You may need to file a capital gains tax return if you sold long term assets shown above, and the gains exceed the $270,000 threshold.

Current Sales Tax

Washington has a starting 6.5% state sales tax rate, which also applies to some services. Though purchases of certain foods and food ingredients are exempt from the sales tax, soft drinks, prepared foods, and dietary supplements, and food products sold with eating utensils are taxable. Washington state considers plates, napkins, and forks eating utensils, but not packaging or containers used to transport food items.

Washington Tax Fact

Washington state has a "syrup tax." The $1-per-gallon tax is imposed on the retail or wholesale of syrup used to make carbonated beverages. It's collected by wholesalers when the syrup is sold. If retailers didn't pay the tax on their wholesale purchase, they directly pay the tax to the Washington Department of Revenue. Successive sales of previously-taxed syrup are exempt from the tax. Funds collected from the "syrup tax" are used by the WA violence reduction/drug enforcement account.

Washington Marriage Penalty

Washington has a marriage tax penalty.

Retirement

See Washington's rank with retirees.

Washington State Tax Agency Contacts

For mailing addresses and other contact information, contact the WA Department of Revenue.

Washington Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment benefits are not subject to income taxes since Washington does not collect individual income tax. See other U.S. states, territories, and protectorates.

TurboTax^® is a registered trademark of Intuit, Inc.
H&R Block^® is a registered trademark of HRB Innovations, Inc.