Residents of King, Pierce, and Snohomish counties who live within the Sound Transit District must pay the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) when they purchase a new or used vehicle or renew their tabs.
Before you get started
Use Sound Transit's tool to check if you need to pay RTA.
The RTA tax helps fund construction and operation of Sound Transit's regional mass transit services. The current voter-approved rate is 1.1%. Learn more about Sound Transit's system expansion.
How we calculate RTA
The RTA tax is a motor vehicle excise tax (MVET) calculated from the depreciated value of your vehicle. It is determined by using a formula based on the vehicle manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP), or purchase price for commercial trucks and commercial trailer, and a depreciation schedule set by state law based on the age of the vehicle (years of service).
RTA calculation formula
Current year - year of vehicle + 1 = years of service (value decreases each year in service)
Original MSRP x depreciated percentage = depreciated value (based on years in service)
Depreciated value x 1.1% (current RTA rate) = RTA amount due
Example for a 2012 Toyota Prius:
MSRP: $24,000
Depreciation years: 2018 (or "current year") - 2012 (year make of vehicle) = 6 + 1 year (to account for first year of offer)= 7 total years of depreciation
7th year depreciation amount = 57% (according to current schedule)
$24,000.00 (original MSRP) x 57% (depreciation) = $13,680.00 (reduced value)
$13,680.00 (reduced value) x 1.1% (current RTA excise tax rate) = $150.00 due
This method of calculating the tax ensures that owners of the same type of vehicle pay the same amount of tax. The MVET value is not based on the fair market value of the vehicle and can be either higher or lower than the vehicle's fair market value or the amount the owner paid for the vehicle.
Disputing your RTA vehicle valuation
If you have questions about your vehicle valuation or to dispute it, call us at 306-902-3770.
State law requires us to use the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) to calculate the tax. When the MSRP isn't available at the time of initial registration in Washington State, we'll determine the value using any guidebook, report, or compendium of recognized standing in the automotive industry, or the selling price and year of sale of the vehicle.
Use our online estimator
You can use Sound Transit's tool to check if you have to pay the RTA tax.
New vehicles
For new vehicles (never owned before), use the Estimate your Regional Transit Authority excise tax tool.
Used vehicles
For used vehicles, you can calculate your vehicle tab fees, which will include a line item for the RTA. You will need the plate number, and either the owner's last name or the last 4 characters of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Vehicles subject to RTA tax
Passenger cars
| Vehicle type | Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,000 lbs or less) |
Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,001 lbs or more) |
|---|---|---|
| Antique car | Yes | Yes |
| Cargo van | Yes | No |
| Commercial vehicles | Yes | No |
| Exempt (state, county, local, tribal) | No | No |
| Farm exempt | No | No |
| Farm use | No | No |
| For hire | Yes | No |
| Government (Federal) | No | No |
| Medium electric car | Yes | Yes |
| Neighborhood electric car | Yes | Yes |
| Passenger vehicle | Yes | Yes |
| Private school | No | No |
| Stage | Yes | No |
| Taxi cab | Yes | Yes |
Passenger trucks
| Vehicle type | Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,000 lbs or less) |
Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,001 lbs or more) |
|---|---|---|
| Antique truck | Yes | No |
| Cargo van | Yes | No |
| Combination (farm use) | No | No |
| Combination (non-farm use) | Yes | No |
| Commercial | Yes | No |
| Exempt (state/county/local/tribal) | No | No |
| Farm exempt | No | No |
| Farm use | No | No |
| Fixed load | Yes | No |
| For hire | Yes | No |
| Government (federal) | No | No |
| Logging | Yes | No |
| Medium electric truck | Yes | No |
| Neighborhood electric truck | Yes | No |
| Off road vehicle (ORV) | No | No |
| Passenger truck | Yes | No |
| Private school truck | No | No |
| Stage | Yes | No |
| Tow truck | Yes | No |
Trailers
| Vehicle type | Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,000 lbs or less) |
Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,001 lbs or more) |
|---|---|---|
| Combination (non-farm use) | Yes | No |
| Commercial | No | No |
| Government (Federal) | No | No |
| Exempt (state/county/local/tribal) | No | No |
| Farm exempt | No | No |
| House dolly | Yes | Yes |
| Intermittent use trailer | Yes | N/A |
| Logging | No | No |
| Motorcycle trailer - commercial use | No | No |
| Personal use trailer | Yes | N/A |
| Travel trailer - antique | No | No |
| Travel trailer | No | No |
Motorcycle, etc.
| Vehicle type | Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,000 lbs or less) |
Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,001 lbs or more) |
|---|---|---|
| Antique motorcycle | Yes | Yes |
| Exempt (state/county/local/tribal) | No | No |
| Farm exempt | No | No |
| Government (Federal) | No | No |
| Moped | No | No |
| Motorcycle | Yes | Yes |
| Off-road motorcycle | No | No |
Off-road, campers, other
| Vehicle type | Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,000 lbs or less) |
Is RTA charged? (Vehicle scale weight 6,001 lbs or more) |
|---|---|---|
| ATV - All Terrain Vehicle (WATV) | No | No |
| Converter gear | No | No |
| Camper | No | No |
| Farm exempt off-road | No | No |
| Mobile home | No | No |
| Motorhome | Yes | Yes |
| Off-road vehicles (ORV) | No | No |
| Snowmobile | No | No |
Deducting excise taxes from federal taxes
You may be able to deduct Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Motor Vehicle Excise Tax and Watercraft Excise Tax fees. Check with your tax advisor.
