Question
What kind of things does sales tax apply to?
Hi, I'm moving shortly from Oregon to Washington. I really don't know much about sales tax other than it costs more than the price tags say for souvenirs.. -_- I guess it's kinda hard to explain.. hopefully someone who has moved from a no sales tax state to one that has it can help. Maybe this will work better... what don't you pay sales tax on? If it helps I'm moving to Bellevue There's sales tax on bills?? So how will I know what foods are exempt? Yes, I know that it's compensated in some way. It's not like washington will be ripping me off.. lol. For me I just have to get used to figuring it out.
5 months ago - 3 answers
Best Answer
Chosen by Asker
Food and food ingredients are exempt from retail sles taxes, but not prepared foods, diet supplements or soft drinks. Newspapers are tax exempt. Casual sales (not from a business) are exempt from sales tax but the buyer may still owe "use" tax, including use of any extended warranties, unless the property or service is exempt. According to the DOR website rate-finder, the state rate is 6.5 percent and your local and county rate add up to 3 percent, so your total sales and use tax is 9.5 percent. For restaurant food and bev it is 10 percent. It's the same in Mercer Island and Seattle. It's 8.6 and 9.1 percent if you are out in King County, outside the cities.
Source(s)
dor ... find tax rates dor ... exemptions apps ... Exemptions
by bcnu
5 months ago
Asker's Rating: 
Other Answers
Sales tax is applied at what ever the local and state rates are to almost everything your buy. For example you buy an item for $100 and the sales tax rate for the location you made the purchase is 8% you would pay $108 for that item. The merchant would keep his $100 and send the $8 to the state (normally on a monthly basis). Food is frequently exempt.
by Mathew- 5 months ago
In the state of washington you pay sales tax on pretty much everything except basic food products and a few services such as utility bills. Every other product or service you buy will be subject to sales tax. Food items purchased at a store such as a grocery store are exempt from sales tax. However food at a restaurant including fast-food is taxed. Some products such as alcoholic beverages are taxed even at the grocery store. Keep in mind when you're paying sales tax that it is INSTEAD of state and local income taxes. Washington has no income taxes. I won't get into the politics of whether or not it should, but one basic advantage is that you don't pay (state) taxes on money you earn until you choose to spend the money. One thing to be aware of is that the sales tax percentage varies from city to city. I think the state portion is 6.5% right now, but most cities have 2-3% local taxes, so you'll pay around 8.5% to 9.5% sales tax on every purchase. Be aware of rates in your area though. For example I live right between 2 cities, and in one of the cities the local rate is a full 1% lower, so whenever its practical, I shop there.
by SmartA$$- 5 months ago