Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax

If you live in urban areas of King, Pierce, or Snohomish counties, you may be required to pay Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax. This tax is collected on behalf of Sound Transit to pay for their local transit-related projects.

When is the RTA tax collected?

  • When you renew your tabs.
  • When you purchase a new or used vehicle and register it in your name.

How much will the RTA tax be?

To calculate how much your RTA tax will be:

How is the RTA tax calculated?

The RTA tax is an excise tax of 0.3%, which means it’s calculated based on the value of your vehicle. For the purposes of this tax, your vehicle’s value is set by the state legislature and isn’t based on the fair market value. The laws that set the value of the vehicle are RCW 82.44.041 and RCW 81.100.060.

Which types of vehicles are subject to RTA tax?

RTA Tax Due: RTA Tax NOT Due:
  • Antique vehicles (no gross weight or less than 6,001 lb. scale or empty weight and purchasing gross weight license)
  • Combination use vehicles (less than 6,001 lb. scale or empty weight)
  • Fixed load (less than 6,001 lb. scale or empty weight)
  • For hire vehicles (no gross weight or less than 6,001 lb. scale or empty weight and purchasing gross weight license)
  • Log use vehicles (less than 6,001 lb. scale weight and purchasing gross weight license)
  • Personal use trailers
  • Motorcycles
  • Motor homes
  • Passenger vehicles
  • Stage use vehicles (no gross weight or less than 6,001 lb. scale weight and purchasing gross weight license)
  • Taxicabs
  • Trucks (less than 6,001 lb. scale or empty weight)
  • Antique vehicles (more than 6,000 lb. scale or empty weight)
  • Campers
  • Commercial use trailers
  • Converter gear
  • Combination use vehicles (more than 6,000 lb. scale or empty weight and purchasing gross weight license)
  • Farm use vehicles
  • Fixed load vehicles (more than 6,000 lb. scale or empty weight)
  • Government-exempt vehicles
  • House dollies
  • Mobile homes
  • Log use trailers
  • Log use motor vehicles (more than 6,000 lb. scale or empty weight)
  • Mopeds
  • Private school vehicles
  • Snowmobiles
  • Stage use vehicles (more than 6,000 lb. scale or empty weight)
  • Tow trucks
  • Travel trailers
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