Washington car tax
Washington has no statewide yearly car tax based on value. Inside the Sound Transit district (urban King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties), car tabs include a 1.1% motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) on the depreciated MSRP. A car purchase is taxed at the regular sales tax rate plus an extra 0.5% motor vehicle sales tax.
Sound Transit RTA MVET: 1.1% of depreciated MSRP (0.3% + 0.8%), charged at tab renewal inside the district only. Until the 1999 bonds are retired (expected 2028), the 0.3% portion uses the 1999 depreciation schedule; the 2006 schedule (RCW 82.44.035) is 100, 81, 72, 63, 55, 47, 41, 36, 32, 27, 26, 24, 23, 21, 16, then 10% from year 16. Outside the RTA district there is no value-based tax.
Buying a car in Washington: one-time tax
Washington retail sales tax + motor vehicle sales tax — 6.5%, plus local sales tax where you live. Your trade-in is subtracted before tax.
Local sales tax is added, plus an extra 0.5% motor vehicle sales/use tax (RCW 82.08.020(3); raised from 0.3%).
Registration and due dates
Base registration is $30 plus weight, service, and other fees, about $90 or more. EVs and hybrids pay extra fees. Sound Transit and local TBD fees apply where adopted.
Paid every year with tab renewal, by the expiration date.
Cut what your car costs in Washington
Car tax is set by your town, but your loan and insurance aren't. Refinancing a car loan at a lower rate often saves more each year than the tax itself.
Questions
Does Washington have a car tax?
Only inside the Sound Transit district. There, car tabs include a 1.1% MVET on the depreciated MSRP.
Is the Sound Transit car tab tax deductible?
The value-based MVET part can be itemized as personal property tax.
What sales tax applies to a car in Washington?
6.5% state plus the local rate, plus a 0.5% motor vehicle sales tax.
Sources
Last checked October 14, 2026. Rates are for passenger cars owned by individuals; leased, business and specialty vehicles can differ. Confirm with your tax collector or commissioner of the revenue.