Washington transfer tax calculator
Washington charges the state real estate excise tax (graduated) at 1.1% to $525K; 1.28% to $1.525M; 2.75% to $3.025M; 3% above (marginal) plus the REET technology fee at $5 per affidavit. On a $535,000 home at statewide rates, that comes to $8,583. By custom, the seller pays it. In some places, 6 county and city taxes add to it.
Below is every Washington transfer tax rate, state, county and city, and who pays it by custom. Pick a county in the calculator to add local rates. Rates checked 2026-09-29.
Free Washington seller net sheet calculator
Change any number and the local costs update.
| Real estate commission (5%) | −$26,750 |
| First mortgage payoff | −$320,000 |
| State real estate excise tax (graduated) | −$5,903 |
| Local real estate excise tax (0.50%) | −$2,675 |
| REET technology fee | −$5 |
| Release / satisfaction recording | −$305 |
| Title insurance and settlement | −$2,716 |
| Other closing fees | −$60 |
| Estimated net to seller | $176,587 |
How much is the transfer tax in Washington?
On a $535,000 home, it is about $8,583 at statewide rates. The table lists the state rules and all 6 county and city taxes, with who pays each one by custom.
| Tax | Level | Rate | Who pays by custom |
|---|---|---|---|
| State real estate excise tax (graduated)RCW 82.45.060: graduated on each portion of the selling price. Thresholds for 2023-01-01 to 2026-12-31. | State | 1.1% to $525K; 1.28% to $1.525M; 2.75% to $3.025M; 3% above (marginal) | Seller |
| REET technology fee | State | $5 per affidavit | Seller |
| Local real estate excise tax (0.50%)Applies: except Adams, Asotin, Benton, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima, San Juan; except Skykomish, Cashmere, Entiat, Forks, Yacolt, Dayton, Kahlotus, Mesa, Coulee City, Grand Coulee, Hartline, Kittitas, South Cle Elum, Pe Ell, Fairfield, Latah, Medical Lake, Rockford, Spangle, Rainier, Starbuck, Krupp, Waverly | City | 0.50% | Seller |
| Local real estate excise tax (0.50% cities)Applies: Benton, Yakima, Cowlitz, Douglas, Okanogan, Pend Oreille, Walla Walla counties; Benton City, Kennewick, Prosser, Richland, West Richland, Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Union Gap, Wapato, Yakima, Zillah, Woodland, East Wenatchee, Mansfield, Waterville, Coulee Dam, Tonasket, Newport, College Place, Waitsburg | City | 0.50% | Seller |
| Local real estate excise tax (0.25%)Applies: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, Grays Harbor, Klickitat, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Skamania, Stevens, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whitman, Yakima counties; except Benton City, Kennewick, Prosser, Richland, West Richland, Grandview, Granger, Mabton, Selah, Sunnyside, Toppenish, Union Gap, Wapato, Yakima, Zillah, Woodland, East Wenatchee, Mansfield, Waterville, Coulee Dam, Tonasket, Newport, College Place, Waitsburg, Prescott, Lamont, Metaline | City | 0.25% | Seller |
| Local real estate excise tax (0.25% cities)Applies: King, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Franklin, Grant, Kittitas, Lewis, Spokane, Thurston counties; Skykomish, Cashmere, Entiat, Forks, Yacolt, Dayton, Kahlotus, Mesa, Coulee City, Grand Coulee, Hartline, Kittitas, South Cle Elum, Pe Ell, Fairfield, Latah, Medical Lake, Rockford, Spangle, Rainier | City | 0.25% | Seller |
| Local real estate excise tax (San Juan County) | City | 0.50% | Seller |
| San Juan County Land Bank (1%) + affordable housing REET (0.5%) | County | 1.5% (buyer) | Buyer |
Who pays the transfer tax in Washington?
By custom, the seller pays it. State real estate excise tax (graduated): paid by the seller. REET technology fee: paid by the seller. The purchase contract can change who pays. Local taxes can follow a different custom. The table lists each one.
How does the Washington transfer tax change with price?
It goes up with the price. On a $1,000,000 home, it is about $16,860 at statewide rates.
| Sale price | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $250,000 | $4,005 | $0 | $4,005 |
| $500,000 | $8,005 | $0 | $8,005 |
| $535,000 typical home | $8,583 | $0 | $8,583 |
| $1,000,000 | $16,860 | $0 | $16,860 |
Is the Washington transfer tax different by county?
Yes. 20 of 39 Washington counties have a different total on a $535,000 sale. The rest owe $8,583.
| County | Seller pays | Buyer pays | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adams County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Asotin County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Benton County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Cowlitz County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Douglas County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Ferry County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Garfield County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Grays Harbor County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Klickitat County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Lincoln County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Okanogan County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Pacific County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Pend Oreille County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| San Juan County | $8,583 | $8,025 | $16,608 |
| Skamania County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Stevens County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Wahkiakum County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Walla Walla County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Whitman County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
| Yakima County | $7,246 | $0 | $7,246 |
Are there transfer tax exemptions in Washington?
Often, yes. Transfers between spouses, to a living trust, and by gift or inheritance are often exempt or taxed less. So are some first-time buyer and low-price sales. The calculator covers an ordinary home sale. Check an exemption with the title company or the county recorder before you count on it.
Sources
Checked 2026-09-29. These are estimates, not tax advice. The title or escrow company confirms the final figures.
Washington transfer tax questions
How much is the transfer tax in Washington?
Washington charges the state real estate excise tax (graduated) at 1.1% to $525K; 1.28% to $1.525M; 2.75% to $3.025M; 3% above (marginal) plus the REET technology fee at $5 per affidavit. On a $535,000 home at statewide rates, that comes to $8,583. By custom, the seller pays it. In some places, 6 county and city taxes add to it.
Who pays the transfer tax in Washington?
State real estate excise tax (graduated): paid by the seller. REET technology fee: paid by the seller. The purchase contract can change who pays. Local taxes can follow a different custom. The table lists each one.
How much is the transfer tax on a $500,000 home in Washington?
About $8,005 at statewide rates. A county or city tax adds to it where one applies.
Does the buyer pay transfer tax in Washington?
Not by custom. The seller usually pays the Washington transfer tax, but some local taxes are split or paid by the buyer.
Is the transfer tax deductible?
Not as a tax. For a seller, the transfer tax is a selling expense that lowers the gain on the sale. A buyer who pays it adds it to the home's cost basis (IRS Publications 523 and 551). Ask a tax adviser about your sale.
When is the transfer tax paid?
At closing. The title or escrow company collects it from the side that owes it. It pays the tax when the deed is recorded.
Put the real estate excise tax on a seller net sheet.
Free to use. No account needed to try it.