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Washington State Sales Tax
- Cars purchased in Washington state are subject to a 6.8% state sales tax.
- County and local rates can add up to 3.5% in additional sales tax.
Washington State Residency and Tax Deductions
- You are considered a Washington resident for sales and use tax purposes if you intend to live in the state.
- Washington charges a $150 fee to plug-in vehicle owners.
Vehicle Excise Tax (VET)
- The Vehicle Excise Tax (VET) is levied by county agencies in Washington.
- This tax applies throughout vehicle ownership and is assessed annually upon registration renewal.
RTA Tax and Deductibility
- In Washington, only the RTA tax portion of vehicle registration fees is tax deductible on Form 1040 Schedule A.
- You’re considered a Washington resident for sales tax if you intend to live there long-term.
Use Tax and Deductions
- Washington collects a vehicle use tax when registering an out-of-state used car.
- Electric vehicle owners pay a $150 state infrastructure fee.
Other Taxes in Washington State
- Washington charges sales tax on vehicle purchases with a state rate of 6.8%.
- The state also collects taxes on home sales, business income, capital gains over $250,000, recreational marijuana, and more.
Deductibility of Vehicle Registration Tax
- No portion of Washington vehicle registration fees is tax deductible, except the RTA tax.