How car sales tax works in Washington
Washington charges 6.5% state sales tax plus a 0.5% motor vehicle sales/use tax plus the local rate. The 0.5% rate started January 1, 2026 (it was 0.3%). For October to December 2026 the local part for vehicles runs from 1.1% to 4.2%, so the total is 8.1% to 11.2%. In Seattle it is 11.05%.
- Trade-in credit: the value of a trade-in is subtracted before tax, up to the price of the car you buy.
- Manufacturer rebates do not reduce the tax. The tax is charged on the price before the rebate. A true dealer discount does lower it.
- The doc fee is capped at $200 and is not subject to sales tax.
- Luxury tax: an extra 8% applies to the part of the price above $102,000 (from July 1, 2026). For this tax the trade-in is added back.
- Private sales: you pay use tax at your address rate when you transfer the title at DOL, usually on fair market value.
- New residents: no use tax if you owned and used the car in another state more than 90 days before moving and license it within 30 days.
Title and registration fees in Washington
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Title application (dealer sale / other) | $40 / $15 |
| Filing and service fees (title with registration) | $41.50 |
| License tab fee | $30 |
| Weight fee (up to 4,000 lb) | $35 |
| Additional vehicle weight fee | $10 |
| License service fee | $0.75 |
| New plates (2 plates with reflectivity) | $104 |
| RTA tax (Sound Transit district) | 1.1% of value |
| EV fees at renewal | $225 / year |
| Hybrid fee at renewal | $75 / year |
The weight fee is $65 for cars from 4,001 to 6,000 lb. Plates do not stay with a sold car, so a used-car buyer needs new plates or must transfer plates they own. EV and hybrid fees are charged when you renew, not at purchase. If you live in the Sound Transit district (parts of King, Pierce and Snohomish counties), the RTA tax is due at purchase and every year: 1.1% of a value based on MSRP, or $352 on a $32,000 MSRP in the first year.
Example: a $32,000 new car
Price $32,000.00, $1,000.00 manufacturer rebate, $8,000.00 trade-in and a $200.00 doc fee, bought from a dealer:
| Sales tax + motor vehicle sales/use tax (7%) | $1,680.00 |
| Local tax (4.05%) | ≈ $972.00 |
| Title fee | $40.00 |
| Registration fee | $75.75 |
| License plate | $104.00 |
| Filing and service fees (title with registration) | $41.50 |
| Arbitration fee (new vehicles) | $3.00 |
| Total taxes | $2,652.00 |
|---|---|
| Total government fees | $264.25 |
| Out-the-door price | $34,116.25 |
| After the trade-in, you pay | $26,116.25 |
Common mistakes
- Using the old 0.3% motor vehicle tax. Since January 1, 2026 it is 0.5%, on top of the 6.5% state rate and your local rate.
- Subtracting a manufacturer rebate before tax. Washington taxes the price before the rebate.
- Forgetting the RTA tax at first registration if you live in the Sound Transit district (1.1% of an MSRP-based value).
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