Skip to main content

Important!

Due to the pandemic, our offices are closed to the public. Please visit our Contact page for support options.

COVID-19 business relief is available. El alivio comercial de COVID-19 está disponible.

Home
  • Laws & rules
  • Careers
  • Contact
  • About
  • Log in

Search Google Appliance

  • Home
  • Open a business
    • Get started
    • Apply for a license
    • Plan for taxes
  • Manage a business
    • Run
    • Grow
    • Close
  • Taxes & rates
    • Sales & use tax rates
    • Tax incentives
    • Business & occupation tax
    • Retail sales tax
    • Use tax
    • Property tax
    • Other taxes
    • Income tax
  • File & pay taxes
    • Filing frequencies & due dates
    • File or amend my return
    • Report no business activity
    • Late filing
    • Reviews and appeals
    • Apply for a tax refund
  • Education
    • Industry guides
    • Events & workshops
    • Watch a video
    • Audits
  • Forms & publications
    • Forms by name
    • Forms by subject
    • Publications by name
    • Publications by subject
Home / Find taxes & rates / Other taxes / Motor vehicle sales/use tax
Print

Motor vehicle sales/use tax

What is the motor vehicle sales/use tax?

Effective July 1, 2003, all retail sales, leases and transfers of motor vehicles are subject to the additional sales tax (or use tax) of three-tenths of one percent (0.3%).

How do I pay the tax?

The tax is collected by the vendor at the time of purchase and submitted by the vendor on the excise tax return.

If sales tax was not paid at the time of purchase, use tax applies at the time the vehicle is registered with the Department of Licensing. This would occur if a vehicle was purchased from a private party or if it was purchased outside of Washington.

What rate do I pay?

The rate is .003 of the net price paid by the purchaser. This tax is in addition to other applicable taxes.

What are the funds used for?

The funds are used to finance transportation improvements.

More information

Forms & publications

Tax Rate Information for Car Dealers and Leasing Companies

Special Notice: Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Rate Increase (pdf)

References

RCW 82.08.020

More information

Forms & publications

Tax Rate Information for Car Dealers and Leasing Companies

Special Notice: Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax Rate Increase (pdf)

References

RCW 82.08.020

Laws & rules | Careers | Contact | About

Home

About

Careers

Contact

Help us improve!

Join our mailing lists

Laws & rules

News releases

Statistics & reports

 

Open a business

Get started

Apply for a license

Plan for taxes

Manage a business

Run

Grow

Close

 

Taxes & rates

Sales & use tax rates

Tax incentives

Business & occupation tax

Retail sales tax

Use tax

Property tax

Other taxes

Income tax

File & pay taxes

Filing frequencies & due dates

File or amend my return

Report no business activity

Late filing

Reviews and appeals

Apply for a tax refund

Education

Industry guides

Events and workshops

Watch a video

Audits

Forms & publications

Forms by name

Forms by subject

Publications by name

Publications by subject

  • Department of Revenue Facebook page
  • Department of Revenue Twitter feed
  • Department of Revenue LinkedIn page.
  • Department of Revenue YouTube channel

Español | Русский | 한글 | Tagalog | Tiéng Viét | 漢語

  Subscribe to receive notifications | Taxpayer Rights and Responsibilities 
Your Privacy | Accessibility | DOR Staff only | © 2017 WASHINGTON STATE DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE AND ITS LICENSORS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Access Washington