Washington Transfer Tax: How Much It Is and Who Pays
Washington's Real Estate Excise Tax (REET) is marginal brackets: 1.1% up to $525,000, 1.28% from $525,000 to $1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000 to $3,025,000, 3% above $3,025,000: $7,302 on a $644,300 home. Cities and counties add their own; King County (all cities, including Seattle)'s brings the total there to $10,524.
Washington transfer tax by purchase price
| Purchase price | State tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $150,000 | $1,650 | $1,650 |
| $200,000 | $2,200 | $2,200 |
| $250,000 | $2,750 | $2,750 |
| $300,000 | $3,300 | $3,300 |
| $350,000 | $3,850 | $3,850 |
| $400,000 | $4,400 | $4,400 |
| $450,000 | $4,950 | $4,950 |
| $500,000 | $5,500 | $5,500 |
| $600,000 | $6,735 | $6,735 |
| $700,000 | $8,015 | $8,015 |
| $800,000 | $9,295 | $9,295 |
| $1,000,000 | $11,855 | $11,855 |
Transfer tax calculator
Who pays
In Washington the seller pays the transfer tax by statute or custom, so it usually reduces the seller's proceeds rather than adding to the buyer's closing costs. DOR: 'usually, the seller pays this tax, but if they don't, the buyer is responsible', the tax becomes a lien on the property if unpaid. Source
City and county transfer taxes in Washington
These stack on the state tax. Open a jurisdiction for the combined figure at every price.
| Jurisdiction | Local rate | Total on a $644,300 home |
|---|---|---|
| King County (all cities, including Seattle) | 0.5% of the purchase price | $10,524 |
| Clark County | 0.5% of the purchase price | $10,524 |
| Whatcom County | 0.5% of the purchase price | $10,524 |
| City of Yakima, Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Union Gap, Wapato, Zillah | 0.5% of the purchase price | $10,524 |
Frequently asked questions
How much is the transfer tax in Washington?
The state rate is marginal brackets: 1.1% up to $525,000, 1.28% from $525,000 to $1,525,000, 2.75% from $1,525,000 to $3,025,000, 3% above $3,025,000, which is $7,302 on a $644,300 home; King County (all cities, including Seattle), Clark County and Whatcom County add a local tax on top.
Who pays the transfer tax in Washington?
In Washington the seller pays the transfer tax by statute or custom, so it usually reduces the seller's proceeds rather than adding to the buyer's closing costs. DOR: 'usually, the seller pays this tax, but if they don't, the buyer is responsible', the tax becomes a lien on the property if unpaid. Source
Is there a mortgage or recordation tax too?
No. Washington taxes the deed only; recording the mortgage costs a flat recording fee, not a percentage.
Are there exemptions?
WAC 458-61A lists numerous REET exemptions (transfers securing debt, gifts, government transfers, certain inheritances); there is no general statewide first-time-buyer credit against REET.
Sources
Rates as the statute or revenue department publishes them, checked 2026-09-22. Figures are computed from those rates and rounded to the dollar; exemptions for first-time buyers or principal residences are noted where they exist and are not applied. All sources.
All Washington buyer closing costs → Washington title insurance cost →
Figures are computed from the statute cited above and rounded to the dollar. This is general information, not tax or legal advice.
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