Excise Tax

 

Chapter 82.45 RCW imposes an excise tax on every sale of real estate in this state, at the rate of one and twenty-eight one-hundredth percent of the selling price. Unless otherwise specifically exempt from tax, all sales of real property are subject to the real estate excise tax. If you have questions, please call (509) 477-5745.

 

Chapter 82.46 RCW authorizes counties, cities, and towns to impose additional taxes on sales of real property based on the same incidences, collection, and reporting methods, as applicable under chapter 82.45 RCW. Taxes imposed are due at the time the sale occurs. The completed real estate excise affidavit must be presented to the Treasurer's office for processing and collection of tax or fees due. This must be done prior to presenting the conveyance documents to the county auditor's office for recording. In the case of the sale of a controlling interest, the Washington State Department of Revenue collects the tax directly. Please contact them for further information. This chapter provides applicable definitions, describes tax payment, collection and reporting procedures, explains the imposition of penalties and interest on late payment, describes available exemptions from tax, and provides procedures for refunds of over paid taxes and appeals from assessments of tax.

 

Effective July 1, 2005, a $5.00 technology fee will be collected on all taxable and exempt transactions. The processing fee for transactions exempt from tax is $5.00 (total due on exempt transactions is $10.00).

 

References. The general provisions for the administration of the state's excise taxes contained in the chapter 82.32 RCW apply to the real estate tax, except for the following: RCW 82.32.030, 82.32.040, 82.32.050, 82.32.140 and 82.32.270, and the penalties and limitations imposed by RCW 82.32.090.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 82.32.300 and 1933 sp.s. C25. 94-04-088, 458-61-015, filed 2/1/94, effective 3/4/94.]

 

For general information and taxability of transfers, refer to Chapter 458-61A WAC Real Estate Excise Tax.

 

The Excise tax rates for the county and for municipalities located within the county are as follows: