United States · Real Estate Excise Tax (REET)
Washington is one of the few US states with a genuinely banded transfer tax. The real estate excise tax starts at 1.1% for the first $525,000 and steps up to 1.28%, 2.75%, and 3% at higher prices — so the effective rate on a $650,000 home is about 1.15%, and on a $2 million home about 1.9%. Unlike most US markets, the REET is legally the seller's obligation, though in a hot market buyers often negotiate to absorb part of it.
Preset rates are indicative reference values only. Confirm current rates and any reliefs with your local tax authority.
Jurisdiction comparison at $650,000.00
Washington pays $7,375.00 (1.13%) vs Washington at $7,375.00 (1.13%).
Banded REET: 1.1% up to $525k, 1.28% to $1.5m, 2.75% to $3m, 3% above — paid by the seller in most counties. Bands below are the standard residential buyer schedule used by the calculator.
| Property value | Rate |
|---|---|
| USD 0.00 – USD 525,000.00 | 1.1% |
| USD 525,000.00 – USD 1,500,000.00 | 1.28% |
| USD 1,500,000.00 – USD 3,000,000.00 | 2.75% |
| USD 3,000,000.00+ | 3% |
Indicative figures compiled August 2026 — official source: Washington State Department of Revenue. Rates are typically indexed or revised each financial year.
A USD 650,000.00 purchase in Washington attracts about USD 7,375.00 in real estate excise tax (reet) at the standard indicative rates — an effective rate of 1.13%. Excise tax affidavits and recording run $150–300; counties add their own excise on top of the state rate in several cases. That makes the all-in cash requirement USD 657,375.00 before you factor in any deposit, legal work, or moving costs. Adjust the price in the calculator to model your own number.
Banded REET: 1.1% up to $525k, 1.28% to $1.5m, 2.75% to $3m, 3% above — paid by the seller in most counties. Rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances, so treat these as planning figures and confirm the current rate with Washington State Department of Revenue before you commit.
At the indicative rates above, a USD 650,000.00 property attracts about USD 7,375.00 in real estate excise tax (reet) — an effective rate of 1.13%. Excise tax affidavits and recording run $150–300; counties add their own excise on top of the state rate in several cases.. The calculator above lets you change the price and see the result instantly.
REET is normally paid by the seller; buyers can negotiate the split. Eligibility rules change frequently and vary by buyer type, so verify your situation with Washington State Department of Revenue or a conveyancer.
The buyer pays the tax in essentially every case in this market. It is payable in full before or at settlement and cannot normally be added to a mortgage, so it must be part of your cash budget alongside the deposit.
How we calculate: the calculator applies the official band schedule marginally — each rate applies only to the slice of the price inside its band, exactly as the revenue authority does. Worked examples are computed with the same function.
Last reviewed: . Learn more about Nirmal Lashkari and LashkariProperties.
Disclaimer: real estate excise tax (reet) rates change with legislation and vary by buyer circumstances. These are indicative planning figures, not tax advice — confirm every number with Washington State Department of Revenue or a qualified local professional.
