2026 rates
Washington DC Sales Tax Calculator
Washington DC charges a flat 6% statewide, with no local sales taxes, so the rate is the same at every address in the state.
Sales tax by city in Washington DC
| City | Combined rate |
|---|---|
| Washington | 6% |
How Washington DC sales tax works
Washington DC charges a single rate of 6% statewide with no local additions, which makes it one of the simpler states to sell into. The rate is the same in Washington as anywhere else, so you do not need to look up the buyer's city to get the tax right.
That combined rate ranks Washington DC number 36 of 51 US jurisdictions, 0.57% below the national average of 6.57%.
Owing tax and being required to collect it are separate questions. Washington DC sets its economic nexus threshold at $100,000 in sales into the state. Below that you generally have no obligation to register; above it you do, and the obligation applies from the point you cross rather than retroactively across the whole year. Check your own sales into Washington DC against that figure before you register anywhere.
Rates below are the published 2026 figures. Local rates change more often than state rates, so verify with the Washington DC revenue authority for a transaction of any size, and remember that the rate is only one input: whether the product is taxable at all, and whether shipping is taxable, both vary by state.
Washington DC sales tax questions
What is the sales tax rate in Washington DC?
The state rate is 6%. With local additions averaging 0%, the typical combined rate is 6%.
Does Washington DC have local sales taxes?
No. Washington DC applies a single rate statewide, so the rate does not change by city or county.
When do I have to register for sales tax in Washington DC?
Once your sales into Washington DC pass $100,000 you cross the economic nexus threshold and are generally required to register and collect. Below that there is usually no obligation.
How do I work out sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by one plus the combined rate to recover the pre-tax price, then subtract. At 6% you divide by 1.0600. The main calculator has a reverse mode that does this.
Is sales tax charged on shipping in Washington DC?
It depends on how the charge is presented and whether the items are taxable. Some states tax shipping when it is part of a taxable sale and others do not. Confirm the current position with the Washington DC revenue authority before setting it in your checkout.
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