Washington·Updated for 2026·Figures in USD · the dealer’s location sets the local rate
Washington Car Sales Tax Calculator (2026)
Washington charges the 6.5% state sales tax, the local rate where the dealer is, and a 0.5% motor vehicle tax that took effect in 2026, all on the price less any trade-in. Then come title, tab and weight fees. Enter your local rate for the full figure.
Your purchase
$
What you pay for the vehicle
$
A vehicle traded for a vehicle. It cannot be more than the price
Look it up with the Washington DOR motor vehicle rate table (October–December 2026), then enter it here. Blank means the state rate only
%
Most cars weigh under 4,000 lbs; many SUVs and pickups are 4,001–6,000 lbs.
lbs
Enter the purchase price. Your Washington tax, title and license estimate appears here as you type — there is no button to press.
Calculating
Show the mathSee how this was worked outHide
This is a planning estimate, not the exact number a dealer or vehicle licensing office will quote. RTA and local fees depend on your address, so check the DOL before you buy.
Figures last verified October 19, 2026. Local rates are from the Department of Revenue's motor vehicle rate table for October 1 – December 31, 2026. Rates change each quarter, so check the current table.
How much is sales tax on a car in Washington?
6.5% state + the local rate + 0.5% motor vehicle tax. On a $30,000 used car weighing 3,500 lbs, bought from a dealer in:
City (county)
Local rate
Total tax rate
Sales tax
Estimated total
Seattle (King)
4.05%
11.05%
$3,315.00
$3,447.25
Tacoma (Pierce)
4%
11%
$3,300.00
$3,432.25
Bellevue (King)
3.8%
10.8%
$3,240.00
$3,372.25
Everett (Snohomish)
3.4%
10.4%
$3,120.00
$3,252.25
Olympia (Thurston)
3.2%
10.2%
$3,060.00
$3,192.25
Spokane (Spokane)
2.4%
9.4%
$2,820.00
$2,952.25
Vancouver (Clark)
2.3%
9.3%
$2,790.00
$2,922.25
Yakima (Yakima)
1.8%
8.8%
$2,640.00
$2,772.25
Each total includes the $56.50 title and $75.75 in tab and weight fees, but not the RTA tax. A new car in Seattle also needs original plates: $3,551.25 in all.
Which local rate applies?
For a dealer sale, the Department of Revenue says the rate is based on the seller's location, even when the dealer delivers the car to you. Some cities have two rates, one inside the Regional Transit Authority area and one outside it (Bellevue: 3.80% inside, 2.40% outside). On a private sale no sales tax is collected at the sale; you pay use tax when you register the vehicle, at the rate where you live.
Does a trade-in lower the tax?
Yes. WAC 458-20-247 excludes the value of a like-kind trade-in (a vehicle for a vehicle) from the selling price, up to the price of the vehicle you buy. A $30,000 car with a $10,000 trade-in in Spokane is taxed $1,880.00 instead of $2,820.00.
Washington title, tab and weight fees
Fee
Amount
Source
Title application
$15
DOL
Filing and service fees, title with registration
$12.50 + $29
DOL
License tab fee
$30
DOL
Additional weight fee
$10
DOL
License service fee
$0.75
DOL
Motor vehicle weight fee
$35 (up to 4,000 lbs), $65 (up to 6,000), $82.50 (up to 8,000)
The weight fees apply to registrations due on or after January 1, 2026; the law sets higher fees from January 1, 2029.
Washington car sales tax FAQ
How much is sales tax on a car in Washington?
The 6.5% state rate, plus the local rate (1.10% to 4.20%), plus a 0.5% motor vehicle sales tax. In Seattle that is 11.05%: $3,315.00 on a $30,000 car. In Spokane it is 9.40%: $2,820.00.
What is the 0.5% motor vehicle sales tax?
An additional sales tax on every retail sale of a motor vehicle in Washington. It rose from 0.3% to 0.5% on January 1, 2026, and dealers collect it with the regular sales tax.
Which local rate applies: where I buy or where I live?
On a dealer sale, the rate at the dealer's location, even if the dealer delivers the car to you. On a private sale there is no sales tax at the sale; you pay use tax when you register, at the rate where you live.
Does a trade-in lower Washington car sales tax?
Yes. The value of a vehicle you trade in for a vehicle is excluded from the selling price. On a $30,000 car in Spokane, a $10,000 trade-in cuts the tax from $2,820.00 to $1,880.00.
How much are Washington title and tab fees?
A title with registration costs $56.50 ($15 title, $12.50 filing, $29 service). Tabs start at $30, plus a $10 additional weight fee, $0.75 license service fee and a weight fee of $35 to $82.50, so $75.75 for a car under 4,000 lbs.
What is the RTA tax?
A motor vehicle excise tax in the Sound Transit district (parts of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties), based on the vehicle’s value and paid with your tabs every year. It can be the largest fee, so check the DOL RTA estimator. It is not in this estimate.
Do I need new plates?
Usually not for a used car: Washington plates stay with the vehicle. A new vehicle gets original plates at $50 each plus $2 each for reflectivity, which the calculator adds when you choose New.
Are you covering other states?
Yes. Texas, California, Florida, New York, Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Arizona, Michigan and Illinois are live too, and more states are added once their rates and fees are verified from each state's own pages. Each state uses its own published rules. Pick your state on the vehicle tax, title and license calculator by state.
Sales tax: 6.5% state rate plus the local rate from the DOR motor vehicle rate table for October 1 – December 31, 2026, plus the 0.5% motor vehicle sales tax (DOR). Trade-in: excluded from the selling price (WAC 458-20-247). Fees: title application $15, filing $12.50, service $29, license tab $30, additional weight fee $10, license service $0.75, plates $50 each plus $2 reflectivity (DOL); motor vehicle weight fee $35, $65 or $82.50 by weight (RCW 46.17.365, registrations due on or after January 1, 2026).
