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Washington · RCW 82.45.060Washington real estate excise tax (REET): the graduated rates

Washington taxes each sale of real property with a graduated state excise tax (RCW 82.45.060): 1.1% of the part of the price up to the first threshold, 1.28% of the next band, 2.75% of the band above that and 3% above the top threshold. Timberland and agricultural land pay a flat 1.28%. The statute set the bands at $500,000, $1.5 million and $3 million; since 2022 the Department of Revenue adjusts them every four years and publishes the current figures. Local REET is added on top.

State rates (RCW 82.45.060(1)(b))

  1. 1.1%

    Of the portion of the selling price up to the first threshold (originally $500,000).

  2. 1.28%

    Of the portion between the first and second thresholds (originally $500,000 – $1.5 million).

  3. 2.75%

    Of the portion between the second and third thresholds (originally $1.5 – $3 million).

  4. 3%

    Of the portion above the third threshold (originally $3 million).

Good to know

  • Timberland and agricultural land: 1.28% of the selling price (RCW 82.45.060(1)(c)).
  • Thresholds adjust every fourth year by the lesser of shelter-price growth or 5%, published by September 1 and applied from January 1 (subsection 2).
  • The tax is reported on the real estate excise tax affidavit; the Department of Revenue publishes guidance on classifying the property.

What the TC checks

  • The current thresholds from the Department of Revenue, not the 2020 figures.
  • State and local REET lines on the settlement statement.
  • The excise tax affidavit prepared with the closing agent.

Questions about Washington REET

What is the real estate excise tax rate in Washington?

Graduated: 1.1%, 1.28%, 2.75% and 3% of the portions of the price in each band (RCW 82.45.060), plus local REET.

Are the Washington REET thresholds still $500,000, $1.5 million and $3 million?

Those were the statutory starting points; the Department of Revenue adjusts them every four years, so use its published current thresholds.

What REET rate applies to farmland in Washington?

Timberland and agricultural land pay 1.28% of the selling price.

Related guides

Add the REET check and the excise affidavit as tasks with owners and due dates in ClosingCode.

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Source: Revised Code of Washington 82.45.060 (app.leg.wa.gov, read October 25, 2026).

General information, not legal or tax advice. ClosingCode is software; it is not a law firm or brokerage.