By Cindy Alia 7/24/25
King County, Washington, residents and businesses face a complex sales tax structure that has sparked confusion, particularly with recent tax changes. A July 22, 2025, King County Council announcement about a new 0.1% sales tax for public safety and criminal justice has raised questions about the total sales tax rate, with some mistakenly interpreting it as “10.3 cents per $100.” This article aims to clarify the combined sales tax rate in King County, including the new increment, and address potential misconceptions.
The total sales tax rate in King County varies by jurisdiction, ranging from 8.8% to 10.5%, depending on the city or special district. For example, Seattle’s combined rate is 10.35%, while Mercer Island’s is 10.2%, and Shoreline’s is 10.4% as of April 2024. These rates include Washington State’s base sales tax of 6.5%, plus local taxes for cities, counties, and special districts like transit or cultural programs. On a $100 purchase in a 10.3% tax area, the tax is $10.30, not 10.3 cents, which would imply a mere 0.103% rate—a significant misunderstanding.
The new 0.1% sales tax, approved unanimously by the King County Council, adds 10 cents per $100 (or 0.1 cents per $1) to fund public safety services, including law enforcement, courts, victim support, and behavioral health programs. Effective January 1, 2026, this tax is expected to generate $95 million annually to address a projected $160 million budget deficit. This increment follows a previous 0.1% tax increase in April 2024 for cultural access programs, which pushed Seattle’s rate to 10.35%, the highest among major U.S. cities, according to the Tax Foundation.
The confusion around “10.3 cents per $100” likely stems from misinterpreting the 10.3% total rate or conflating it with the new 0.1% increment. The King County website’s announcement focused solely on the 0.1% increase without reiterating the full combined rate, which can mislead readers unfamiliar with the existing tax structure. For clarity, the 0.1% tax alone yields 10 cents on a $100 purchase, but the total tax in areas like Seattle is $10.30–$10.40, depending on local levies.
This layered tax system—6.5% state, plus local taxes like 1.4% for Sound Transit, 0.9% for Metro Transit, and city-specific rates—creates a high tax burden, raising concerns about affordability and tax avoidance, as some shoppers may prefer nearby cities with lower rates, like Bellevue (10.1%). Transparency is critical to avoid confusion. Residents can verify exact rates by address using tools like the Washington Department of Revenue’s tax rate lookup or TaxHero’s calculator.
King County’s sales tax structure reflects the region’s funding needs for transit, safety, and cultural programs, but clear communication is essential to prevent misinterpretation. The new 0.1% tax is a small but significant addition to an already high combined rate, which residents and businesses must navigate carefully.
Sources: King County Council (July 22, 2025), Tax Foundation (August 22, 2024), Washington Department of Revenue (March 31, 2025), Fox 13 August 27, 2024 King County Council July 22, 2025
July 24, 2025