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If the materials are taken to a landfill, transfer station, or other facility for disposal, the materials are considered “solid waste” regardless of whether the materials could be recycled.
Market conditions and other factors may cause businesses collecting materials to determine that disposing the materials is more economically viable than recycling or salvaging them.
Any materials taken for disposal are subject to the solid waste collection tax. The tax is charged to and collected from the ultimate customer (the resident or business whose materials are picked up and hauled away by the company that collects the materials).
What is “solid waste?”
Solid waste is refuse, garbage, trash, rubbish, human waste or other discarded material that is collected and hauled to a landfill, transfer station or other disposal facility.
Solid waste does not include toxic or hazardous waste, or items that are collected mainly for recycling or salvage. RCW 82.18.010
What is a solid waste collection business?
It is a business that collects and hauls away solid waste from residential and/or commercial customers to a transfer station or other facility for disposal. RCW 82.18.010
What is the solid waste collection tax?
It is a tax on the ultimate consumer/user of solid waste collection services – a resident or commercial business disposing of solid waste/refuse. It is a tax on the fees for the collection, transfer, storage, or disposal of solid waste. Prior to 1989, this tax was referred to as the “refuse collection tax.” WAC 458-20-250
This tax does not apply to the pick-up and haul away of material that is taken to a recycling or salvage facility.
What is the tax rate?
3.6 percent.
What is the tax applied to?
The tax applies to the amount charged for the collection and disposal service. It does not apply to:
- Amounts charged for collecting materials that are recycled or salvaged.
- Charges or penalties for late payment.
- Charges for the containers in which the customer deposits the solid waste.
- The solid waste collection tax itself.
Who collects the solid waste collection tax?
The business that collects or receives the waste from the original consumer collects the tax.
Example: WOW, Inc. collects solid waste from Joe Smith’s house. WOW collects the solid waste collection tax from Joe Smith. WOW then transfers the waste to AnyTown Transfer Station. Anytown will not collect the solid waste collection tax from WOW because the tax has already been collected from Joe Smith, the original consumer.
Businesses collecting the tax must notify their customers that they are collecting the solid waste collection tax, but it is not required that they separately itemize the tax on their billings. WAC 458-20-250
How is the tax reported to the Department of Revenue?
The tax is reported on the “refuse collection” line on the online e-file system; for paper filers, on page 2 of a Department of Revenue excise tax return.
Who is exempted from the solid waste collection tax?
The following entities are exempt:
- The federal government, its agencies or instrumentalities. WAC 458-20-190
- Indian tribes and tribal members for services provided in Indian country. WAC 458-20-192; Indian Tax Guide
- Housing authorities. WAC 458-20-190
Do transfer stations or disposal facilities that accept solid waste charge the solid waste collection tax?
- On services provided directly to the public: Yes. Transfer stations and disposal facilities that accept refuse from individuals or businesses other than solid waste collection businesses must charge and collect the solid waste collection tax on their fees.
- On services provided to solid waste collection businesses: No. Businesses that collect/remit the solid waste collection tax to the Department of Revenue do not pay the tax again to the disposal facility. They must provide the other solid waste service provider with a “Solid Waste Collector’s Exemption Certificate.” Blanket exemption certificates can be provided as long as the parties have a recurring business relationship.
Currently, there is not a standard form. However, a qualifying exemption certificate must contain the following:
We hereby certify that we are engaged in the solid waste collection business and are registered with the state department of revenue to collect and report the solid waste collection tax imposed under chapter 82.18 RCW. We certify further that the solid waste collection tax due with respect to the solid waste collection business being performed under this certificate has been or will be collected and paid and that we are exempt from further payment of this tax on charges for any solid waste collection services being procured by us.
Business Name _____________________________________________
Business Address____________________________________________
Dept of Revenue registration number (UBI) __ __ __-__ __ __-__ __ __
U.T.C. Certificate of Public Necessity Number _____________________
If not regulated by U.T.C., check this box
Authorized signature___________________________ Date__________
How is income from solid waste collection services taxed for business and occupation (B&O) tax purposes?
The following taxes are due:
Service & other activities B&O tax is due on:
- Gross income from solid waste collection service activities.
- Late charges or fees.
Retailing B&O tax is due on:
Charges for waste containers, bins, dumpsters, etc., separately stated from charges for actual waste collection services. Retail sales tax must also be collected on these charges unless the sale is exempt.
Are separately itemized charges for hauling by a solid waste collection business taxed differently from charges for solid waste disposal?
No. Separately itemized charges for hauling or “trucking” are considered part of the overall solid waste disposal service and are taxed in the same manner as charges for solid waste collection services.
On what charges do solid waste collection businesses collect retail sales tax from customers?
Charges for waste containers, bins, dumpsters, etc., separately stated from charges for actual waste collection services. (The income is also subject to retailing B&O tax, as noted above.)
Do solid waste collection businesses pay sales tax themselves?
Yes. All tangible personal property used in conducting business (not sold or rented to customers) is subject to retail sales tax at the time of purchase.
Are purchases of vehicles, tractors, and trailers subject to sales tax?
Yes. Vehicles, tractors, trailers, as well as component, repair and replacement parts for such property are subject to sales tax when used in Washington. If sales tax was not paid on the property at the time of purchase, use tax applies to the value of the tractor, trailer, parts, etc.
However, if a transfer business hauls materials (that they did not collect directly from private or commercial consumers) “for-hire” in interstate or foreign commerce (across state lines), it may qualify for a sales tax and use tax exemption on purchases of:
- Motor vehicles and trailers (carrier property).
- Component parts for motor vehicles and trailers.
- Leases of motor vehicles and trailers without an operator.
- Labor and services used in “construction, cleaning, repairing, altering or improving” of qualifying vehicles and trailers or component parts.
To qualify for the carrier property exemption, the business must:
- Be a motor carrier (MC) permit holder. The state of Washington has required Intra-state carriers to obtain a DOT number since January 2010.
- Meet the minimum threshold for “substantial use” (at least 25%) in interstate or foreign commerce.
For items to be exempted from sales tax, the purchaser must give a Buyer’s Retail Sales Tax Exemption Certificate to the seller at the time of purchase. Also see WAC 458-20-174 and our Trucking Industry Guide for additional information.
