Seattle Sales Tax to Rise Again in 2026 for Public Safety Initiatives

Seattle Sales Tax to Rise Again in 2026 for Public Safety Initiatives

Seattle residents and businesses will see another increase in local sales tax starting in 2026, following a 0.1% rate hike approved by the Seattle City Council on October 14, 2025. The new combined sales tax rate within Seattle will rise to 10.35%, up from the current 10.25%.

This adjustment is part of the city’s continued effort to fund essential public safety and community support programs, including addiction recovery, crisis response, and services for victims and defenders.

Details of the Seattle City Council’s Public Safety Tax

• Rate increase: 0.1%

• New combined rate: 10.35%

• Effective date: 2026

• Funding dedicated to:

  • Addiction recovery and treatment programs

  • Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) teams

  • 911 dispatcher support and emergency response coordination

  • Services for public defenders and victim advocates

  • Gun violence prevention and domestic violence response initiatives

The City Council emphasized that the measure is aimed at building a more coordinated and compassionate public safety network — one that responds not only to emergencies but also to the root causes behind them.

County-Level Increase Adds to the Total

This city-level increase follows a separate 0.1% sales tax increase enacted by the King County Council, which took effect August 1, 2025. That measure supports prosecutors, public defenders, sheriff’s deputies, and behavioral health programs across King County.

With both increases in effect, Seattle’s total combined sales tax will reach 10.55% in 2026, one of the highest municipal rates in Washington State.

What This Means for Businesses and Consumers

For Seattle businesses, this incremental rise means another adjustment to point-of-sale systems, accounting software, and invoices to reflect the new rates. While a tenth of a percent may seem minor, the combined impact of city and county increases can be significant for high-volume retailers, contractors, and service providers.

Consumers can expect to see the higher rate applied automatically on most purchases made within Seattle’s city limits once the city’s increase takes effect in 2026.

Pivotal Forensic Accounting and Audits Commentary:
Tax changes like these underscore the importance of proactive financial planning and compliance updates. Our firm continues to monitor city and county policy developments that affect local businesses and individuals. For guidance on preparing your accounting systems or understanding how this rate change impacts your organization, contact us for professional assistance.