Does Washington Have Sales Tax on Clothes: 2025 Guide for Businesses

Does Washington Have Sales Tax on Clothes?

Yes, Washington applies state and local sales tax to clothing purchases. Clothing is fully taxable statewide, with no special exemptions.

Tax Type	Details
Washington State Sales Tax	6.5% on all clothing purchases
Local Sales Tax	Varies by location, making the total rate 7%–10.6%
Sales Tax Holiday	None—Washington does not offer a tax-free weekend for clothing.
Resale Exemption	Wholesale clothing purchases are tax-free with a valid reseller permit.
Out-of-State Exemptions	Clothing shipped outside Washington may qualify for exemption, depending on the transaction.

For example, a $100 clothing purchase in Seattle (10.25% rate) incurs $10.25 in tax, highlighting the nexus of different tax rates contributing to the total.

Location	State Sales Tax Rate	Local Sales Tax Rate	Total Sales Tax Rate	Purchase Amount	Tax Charged
Seattle	6.5%	3.75%	10.25%	$100	$10.25
Spokane	6.5%	2.5%	9.0%	$100	$9.00
Tacoma	6.5%	3.8%	10.3%	$100	$10.30
Bellevue	6.5%	3.6%	10.1%	$100	$10.10
Vancouver	6.5%	2.0%	8.5%	$100	$8.50

Washington Clothing Sales Tax Rules

• Clothing is taxable statewide, with rates ranging from 7% to 10.6%.
• There is no tax-free holiday for clothing purchases in Washington.
• Exemptions apply to resale transactions, nonprofit purchases, and government sales with valid documentation.
• Businesses must collect and remit sales tax to the Washington Department of Revenue.

FAQs

What clothing items are not taxed in WA?

In Washington, most clothing is taxed, but exemptions apply to medical garments, protective gear, and nonprofit-donated items.

Is Washington sales tax free?

No, Washington has a sales tax, but certain goods and services are exempt, and some residents may qualify for refunds.

Clothing Tax Exemptions in Washington State

Washington offers clothing tax exemptions for resale purchases and out-of-state shipments. Retailers with a Reseller Permit avoid sales tax on inventory, while clothing shipped directly outside Washington is also tax-exempt.

Washington Resale Exemption on Clothing

Retailers and wholesalers purchasing clothing for resale in Washington can claim a sales tax exemption by providing a Reseller Permit issued by the Washington Department of Revenue.

Requirement	Details
Eligibility	Businesses purchasing clothing for resale (not for personal use).
Required Document	Reseller Permit issued by the Washington Department of Revenue.
Tax Savings	Exempts businesses from 6.5% state tax and up to 4.1% local tax.
Permit Validity	4 years (must be renewed before expiration).
Application Process	Apply online at dor.wa.gov.
Record-Keeping Requirement	Businesses must maintain detailed records of tax-exempt transactions for audits.
Penalties for Misuse	Unauthorized use (e.g., personal purchases) may result in fines and tax liabilities.

Example: Tax Savings on Resale Purchases in WA

Purchase Amount	State Tax Savings (6.5%)	Local Tax Savings (Up to 4.1%)	Total Savings
$10,000	$650	$410	$1,060
$50,000	$3,250	$2,050	$5,300
$100,000	$6,500	$4,100	$10,600

Notes

• Resale purchases are fully tax-exempt with a valid Reseller Permit, regardless of the physical presence of the business in Washington.
• Businesses must apply for and renew permits every 4 years.

Washington Out-of-State Exemption on Clothing

Washington exempts clothing sales from sales tax if the item is shipped directly to an out-of-state buyer. The buyer must not take possession of the item in Washington. To qualify, sellers must:

Requirement	Details
Buyer Location	Must reside outside Washington.
Delivery Condition	Clothing must be shipped directly out of state—no in-store pickups.
Seller's Documentation	Maintain proof of shipment, such as invoices and tracking numbers.
Exempted Taxes	Avoids 6.5% state tax + up to 4.1% local tax.
Verification Requirement	Seller must confirm the buyer’s out-of-state shipping address.

Example: Tax Savings in Washington for Out-of-State Orders

Purchase Amount	State Tax Savings (6.5%)	Local Tax Savings (Up to 4.1%)	Total Savings
$500	$32.50	$20.50	$53.00
$5,000	$325.00	$205.00	$530.00
$20,000	$1,300.00	$820.00	$2,120.00

Washington Sales Tax Regulations on Clothing

• Clothing and footwear retail sales must be shipped out of Washington to qualify—no in-person pickups.
• Sellers must maintain proof of shipment to verify tax exemption.
• Out-of-state sales avoid all Washington state and local sales taxes.
• Failure to document shipments properly may result in tax liability for the seller.

Common Mistakes in Sales Tax Reporting for Clothing in Washington

Businesses must correctly report state (6.5%) and local (up to 4.1%) sales tax on clothing sales. Common mistakes include:

Mistake	Details
Incorrect Tax Rate	Failing to apply location-based tax rates, leading to underpayment or overpayment.
Ignoring Resale Exemptions	Not collecting a valid Reseller Permit, resulting in unnecessary tax collection.
Misreporting Out-of-State Sales	Failing to document proof of shipment for out-of-state exemptions.
Improper Tax Classification	Incorrectly marking taxable clothing as exempt or vice versa.
Late or Inaccurate Filings	Missing reporting deadlines, leading to penalties and interest charges.

Notes

• Verify tax rates per location before filing.
• Maintain proper exemption documentation (e.g., permits, invoices, shipping records).
• Timely and accurate filings prevent penalties and compliance issues.

Automate Clothing Sales Tax Compliance for Businesses in Washington

Managing Washington sales tax compliance can be complex, from verifying local tax rates to tracking exemptions and meeting filing deadlines, with a nexus of regulatory requirements. Kintsugi simplifies this process with powerful automation tools designed for modern businesses.

Challenge	How Kintsugi Helps	Benefits
Tax Exemption Management	Identifies and applies resale exemptions for wholesale apparel purchases using valid Reseller Permits.	Reduces tax liability and ensures compliance.
State and Local Tax Rates	Automates calculation of Washington’s 6.5% state tax plus local taxes (ranging up to 10.5%).	Prevents errors and ensures accurate collections.
Non-Taxable Sales Tracking	Tracks exemptions for qualifying clothing sales, such as nonprofit purchases.	Ensures proper documentation and compliance.
Sales Reporting and Filing	Prepares detailed sales tax reports for Washington Department of Revenue filings.	Saves time and simplifies reporting.
Audit Preparation	Centralizes transaction records and Reseller Permits for easy audit readiness.	Minimizes risks and penalties.

Streamlining Sales Tax for Clothing Businesses in Washington

Let Kintsugi handle the complexities of Washington State sales tax so you can focus on growing your business. Visit our Product Platform and Pricing pages to learn more and get started today!