Public records
Governor’s Proclamation 20-28 (Open Public Meetings act and Public Records Act (PRA)) temporarily suspends the PRA requirements for agencies to respond to requests for public records within five business days from receipt, and to maintain business hours for public inspection and copying of records. The suspension is effective through midnight, April 23, 2020, unless extended beyond that date.
The Department of Revenue is subject to the Washington Public Records Act, Chapter 42.56 RCW. Many public records are available on the Revenue Website at the following links:
| For information on | Go to |
|---|---|
| A specific business | Business lookup |
| Business licenses and endorsements | Business lookup |
| Open data on tax collections, forecasts, statistics, reports, and studies | Get statistics and reports |
| Tax incentives and preferences: surveys and reports | Public disclosure reports |
| Unclaimed property | ClaimYourCash.org |
| Revenue forms and publications | Get a form or publication |
| Rule-making process, advisories, decisions and opinions | Public records index-rule making and final opinions |
| Online tax research tool including DOR and state laws, rules and tax documents | Taxpedia |
| Other public records | Public records index |
Releasing confidential customer information
Much of the information collected and held by the Department of Revenue for its customers is confidential and exempt from the Public Records Act. Various laws restrict access to taxpayer and business information and exempt these records from the Public Records Act, including:
RCW 82.32.330: Taxpayer Information
RCW 19.02.115: Licensing Information
RCW 84.08.210: Property Tax Information
RCW 63.29.380: Unclaimed Property
Public information is available on the Revenue website, related to the sites above. To obtain confidential information about a specific taxpayer or business, use the following forms:
- Taxpayer information: Confidential Tax Information Authorization
- Licensing information: Confidential Licensing Information Authorization
Other public records forms
The law prohibits the Department of Revenue from releasing lists of individuals or taxpayers to requestors if the request is made for a commercial purpose. You must submit the following form and describe the purpose of your request:
Lists of licenses, individuals, and/or taxpayers: Declaration of Non-Commercial Purpose
To submit a public records request
You may make a Public Records Request for available Department of Revenue records by using one of the following options:
- Use this online form if you do not have to include any attachments. If you have attachments, please use another method.
- Email your request to: DORPublicRecords@dor.wa.gov
- Send a fax to 360-534-1606
- Mail a request to:
Public Records, Information Governance Office
Department of Revenue
PO Box 47456
Olympia, WA 98504-7456
(Common attachments include the Confidential Tax Information Authorization (CTIA), Confidential Licensing Information Authorization (CLIA), and the Declaration for Non-Commercial Purpose.)
In your request, please identify and describe in detail the records you are requesting. Please include the subject matter, date range, types of records requested and appropriate divisions or programs. Failure to provide sufficient information to locate the records you request may cause delay.
Charges for copies
The Department of Revenue may charge for copies of public records. We may also charge an additional cost for compiling customized lists and data. Please see the statement of costs for more information.
For more information about public records requests
- Washington's Public Records Act (Chapter 42.56 RCW)
- DOR Rules governing access to public information (WAC 458-276)
- Office of the Attorney General Open Government website
- Contact the Department of Revenue Information Governance Office (phone 360-704-5741)