Washington State Taxes: A Simple Guide
Washington is known for having no traditional state income tax on wages, but it still has important state and local taxes, especially sales and property taxes. This guide gives a high-level overview for individuals.
ℹ️Important: This is a general education guide. Tax rules and programs change over time. Always check official Washington guidance or talk with a tax professional about your specific situation.
🚫No state income tax on wages
Washington does not tax most personal wage and salary income at the state level. That usually means:
- ✓No Washington state income tax is withheld from your paycheck.
- ✓You generally do not file a separate Washington personal income tax return.
- ✓Your main income tax filing is your federal Form 1040.
Note: Washington does have business and other specialized taxes that are outside this individual-focused overview.
🛒Sales and use tax
Washington relies heavily on sales and use taxes instead of a personal income tax. Key points:
- •There is a state sales tax rate applied to many retail sales.
- •Cities and local districts can add their own sales taxes, so the total rate varies depending on location.
- •If you buy taxable items from out of state or online and no tax is collected, you may owe use tax to Washington.
If you run a business, you may need to collect and remit state and local sales taxes on taxable transactions in Washington.
🏡Property taxes
Property taxes in Washington are managed primarily by counties and local governments. They are based on the assessed value of real property such as homes and land.
- •Homeowners receive property tax bills from their county treasurer.
- •Local property taxes help fund schools, roads, and other public services in your area.
- •Washington offers certain relief or exemption programs for qualifying taxpayers (for example, some seniors or disabled homeowners).
Because property taxes are local, rates and programs vary by county and city. Check with your local tax office for exact details.
🔗How Washington taxes fit with your federal return
A typical Washington resident will still deal with taxes each year, just in a different mix:
- •Federal income tax (Form 1040)
- •State and local sales and use taxes
- •Local property taxes if they own a home
If you're new to filing, start with How to File Your Taxes (Super Simple) and then use this guide to understand what Washington does—and does not—tax at the state level.