Washington Tax Information

 

Retail Sales Tax | Use Tax | Business & Occupation Tax | Unemployment & Industrial Insurance | Deferrals, Exemptions & Credits | Washington State Dept. of Revenue

Washington Tax Information Fact Book (PDF)  |  Complete Fact Book (PDF)

WASHINGTON'S TAX STRUCTURE

No corporate income tax

No unitary tax

No inventory tax

No personal income tax

No tax on interest, dividends or capital gains

No sales or use tax on machinery and equipment used in manufacturing operations

A state and local property tax with annual increases subject to statutory limitations

The business and occupation (B&O) tax, which is based on gross receipts

SALES/USE TAX EXEMPTION ON MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT - CHAPTER 82.08 / 82.12 RCW

Manufacturers and processors for hire are not required to pay the sales or use tax on machinery and equipment used directly in manufacturing operations. In addition, the machinery and equipment are not subject to the sales taxes.

A "manufacturing operation" means the manufacturing of articles, substances, or commodities for sale as tangible personal property. The manufacturing operation begins at the point where the raw materials enter the manufacturing site and ends at the point where the finished product leaves the manufacturing site.

HIGH TECHNOLOGY SALES / USE TAX DEFERRAL / EXEMPTION

Businesses in the following research and development technology categories may be eligible for a sales / use tax deferral / exemption, if they start new research and development or pilot scale manufacturing operations, or expand or diversify a current operation by expanding, renovating or equipping an existing facility anywhere in Washington:

  • Advanced computing
  • Advanced materials
  • Biotechnology
  • Electronic device technology
  • Environmental technology

HIGH TECHNOLOGY BUSINESS AND OCCUPATION TAX CREDIT - CHAPTER 82.63 RCW

An annual credit of up to $2 million is allowed for businesses that perform research and development in Washington in specified high technology categories AND meet the minimum expense requirements. The credit cannot exceed the amount of the business and occupation tax due for that calendar year. The rate for the credit is:

Nonprofit corporation or association: .484 percent (.004845) of the expenses

For profit businesses: 1.5 percent (.015) of the expenses.

The technology categories are:

  • Advanced computing
  • Advanced materials
  • Biotechnology
  • Electronic device technology
  • Environmental technology

FOR MORE INFORMATION

If you have questions about deferrals in distressed areas or the B&O tax credit program under RCW 82.62, please write to:

Special Programs Division
Washington State Department of Revenue
PO Box 448
Olympia, Washington 98506/0448
FAX - (360) 586-2163

You may also call the Department of Revenue’s Special Program Division at (360) 753-3171 or (360) 664-2202.

Questions about the manufacturers exemption for machinery and equipment or the high technology programs should be referred to:

Taxpayer Information and Education
Washington State Department of Revenue
PO Box 47478
Olympia, Washington 98504-7478
FAX - (360) 664-0456

Or you may call the Taxpayer Information Center at 1-800-647-7706 (TDD 1-800-451-7985) for more information.

This information has been provided courtesy of Valley Vision.  For more information, please visit their website at http://www.lewis-clarkvalley.com.  Or contact:

Bob Tippett, Email
(208) 799-9083
Fax: (208) 799-9082
111 Main Street, Suite 130
Lewiston, Idaho 83501