Sales tax on home repairs in Seattle and Washington (2026):
rates by city and what it adds
IS THERE SALES TAX ON HOME REPAIRS IN WASHINGTON?
Yes. When a contractor repairs, remodels or builds for a homeowner in Washington, the Department of Revenue (DOR) says the job is subject to retail sales tax on the gross contract price, without deducting costs, so labor is taxed along with materials. The rate depends on where the work is done: 10.55% in Seattle, 10.40% in Kent and 10.30% in Bellevue from October 1 to December 31, 2026.
Sales tax rates by city, October–December 2026
| City | Combined sales tax rate |
|---|---|
| Seattle | 10.55% |
| Renton | 10.50% |
| Auburn (King County part) | 10.50% |
| Shoreline | 10.50% |
| Tacoma | 10.50% |
| Kent | 10.40% |
| Federal Way | 10.40% |
| Redmond | 10.40% |
| Kirkland | 10.40% |
| Burien | 10.40% |
| Bellevue | 10.30% |
| Unincorporated King County | 10.30% |
| Lynnwood | 10.70% |
| Everett | 9.90% |
Seattle's rate went up to 10.55% on January 1, 2026. Some national cost guides still show an older Seattle rate, so check the rate on any estimate you're given.
How sales tax on home repairs works in Washington
- Labor is taxed, not just materials. DOR says custom construction is subject to retail sales tax on the "gross contract price (without deduction of costs incurred)," and that the contractor must collect it from the landowner.
- The job site sets the rate. DOR says retail construction services are sourced to "the location where the construction takes place," not the contractor's office.
- Contractors don't pay retail tax on materials that go into your job. DOR treats those as purchases for resale; the tax is collected once, on your contract.
- The tax goes on the invoice. DOR says billing invoices "must separately state the sales tax," and that a contractor's bid should reflect the tax.
What sales tax adds to common Seattle jobs
| Job (Seattle average) | Average price | 10.55% sales tax |
|---|---|---|
| Roof repair | $1,540 | $162 |
| Heat pump installation | $10,218 | $1,078 |
| Roof replacement | $12,646 | $1,334 |
| Window replacement | $14,453 | $1,525 |
| Siding replacement | $17,867 | $1,885 |
Same $10,000 job in different cities
| City | Rate | Tax on $10,000 | Tax on $20,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle | 10.55% | $1,055 | $2,110 |
| Renton, Tacoma | 10.50% | $1,050 | $2,100 |
| Kent, Federal Way | 10.40% | $1,040 | $2,080 |
| Bellevue | 10.30% | $1,030 | $2,060 |
The difference between cities is small. What matters more is remembering the tax at all: on a $20,000 job, it's over $2,000 you need to budget for.
Checking the tax on your estimate
- Check that the estimate shows sales tax as a separate line, and that the rate matches your address, not the contractor's city.
- Compare bids after tax. A bid without tax isn't comparable with one that includes it. See how to read a roofing estimate for the other lines to check.
- Look the contractor up on L&I's Verify a Contractor tool. For jobs of $1,000 or more on a home, the contractor must give you a written disclosure statement before work starts (RCW 18.27.114).
- Planning an addition or remodel? Its added value may be exempt from property tax for three years if you file first: see the home improvement property tax exemption. If a job goes wrong, see contractor bond claims.
Frequently asked questions
Is there sales tax on home repairs in Washington?
Yes. Washington's Department of Revenue says construction for a homeowner, including repairs and remodels, is subject to retail sales tax on the gross contract price, so labor is taxed as well as materials. The rate depends on the job's location: 10.55% in Seattle from October to December 2026.
What is the sales tax rate in Seattle in 2026?
10.55%, including the 6.5% state rate. Seattle's rate rose to 10.55% on January 1, 2026, according to the Department of Revenue.
Do contractors charge sales tax on labor in Washington?
Yes, for work on your home. The tax applies to the gross contract price without deducting costs, which includes labor.
Which city's rate applies, mine or the contractor's?
Yours. The Department of Revenue says construction services are sourced to where the construction takes place.
What is the sales tax rate in Kent and Bellevue?
Kent is 10.40% and Bellevue 10.30% for October 1 to December 31, 2026. Some parts of both cities have a lower non-RTA rate, so check your address with the Department of Revenue.
Sources
- Washington Department of Revenue — Custom construction
- Washington Department of Revenue — Local sales and use tax rates by county, Quarter 4 2026 and local sales and use tax page
- Washington Department of Revenue — Seattle rate change, January 1, 2026
- Washington Department of Revenue — Bidding on construction projects
- Angi Seattle cost pages for roof repair, roof replacement, heat pumps, windows and siding; RCW 18.27.114 and L&I — Hiring a contractor
All sources accessed October 16, 2026.
This guide summarizes Washington Department of Revenue information. It is not tax advice, and rates change every quarter. Check the current rate for your address with the Department of Revenue. See our disclosure and disclaimer.