Washington real estate excise tax (REET): rates and Seattle

What is the REET and who pays it?

REET is a tax on the sale of real property. The Department of Revenue says all sales are subject to it unless an exemption applies. The state law makes the tax “the obligation of the seller” (RCW 82.45.080). The Department adds that if the seller does not pay, the buyer is responsible, and unpaid tax can become a lien on the property. King County’s Recorder says the seller typically pays.

The price used is the full consideration, including the loan balance. The Department’s example: a $250,000 house bought with $50,000 down and a $200,000 loan is taxed on $250,000.

The tax is due to the county treasurer on the date of sale, even if the deed is recorded later. In King County you file the REET affidavit with the Recorder’s Office, and the tax must be paid before the deed is recorded.

What are the state REET brackets?

The state tax is graduated like an income tax: each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its bracket (RCW 82.45.060). The statute lets the Department adjust the thresholds every fourth year, and it has published both the current and the next set.

Farm, agricultural and timber land pay a flat 1.28% state rate instead. The date of the sale decides which column applies, so a sale dated in 2026 uses the left column even if the deed is recorded in 2027.

What does Seattle add?

The state tax is only part of the bill. Cities and counties may add local REET (RCW 82.46.010 and 82.46.035, up to 0.25% each for a city that plans under the Growth Management Act). The Department’s local rate table, effective May 1, 2026, lists 0.50% for Seattle (location code 1726) and for most King County cities, with 0.25% in Skykomish. Local REET is a flat percentage of the whole price. The Department states that the local tax “must be calculated and added to the graduated state rate.”

What does it cost? Worked examples in Seattle

These are examples, not quotes. They use the state brackets for sales through 2026 plus Seattle’s 0.50%.

How the $1,000,000 line works: $525,000 × 1.1% = $5,775, plus $475,000 × 1.28% = $6,080, giving $11,855 state tax. Add $5,000 local tax.

With the 2027 thresholds the same state tax falls by $46.80 at $600,000 and $1,000,000, and by $429.00 at $2,000,000 (for example, $1,000,000 gives $6,061 + $5,747.20 = $11,808.20).

What fees and penalties apply?

King County charges $5 plus the tax to process a taxable affidavit and $10 for a non-taxable one; a minimum of $10 in fees or tax is due. If the tax is not paid within one month of the sale, the Department adds a penalty of 5% of the tax, then another 5% after two months and another 10% after three months (20% in all), plus interest. The 2026 interest rate is 6%.

Which sales are exempt?

The Department lists the most used exemptions, and the full list is in WAC 458-61A. They include:

• gifts and inheritances;
• community property transfers and transfers under a divorce, separation or invalidity decree;
• foreclosure, deed in lieu of foreclosure and contract forfeiture;
• transfers to or from tenants in common and joint tenants;
• certain affordable-housing, low-income and self-help housing transfers.

You claim an exemption by writing its code in the affidavit. A gift also needs a signed supplemental statement. The Department adds a $5 affidavit processing fee when an exemption is claimed.

For all the other costs of a purchase, see closing costs in Washington. For the annual tax on a home, see Washington property tax. The Seattle guide covers the city. See also the escrow account guide.