United States · Washington · Capital gains excise tax
Washington capital gains tax calculator.
Washington taxes long-term capital gains on certain assets at 7%, with a 2.9 point surcharge on taxable gain above $1 million. Enter your Washington gain to see the tax.
Short answer: For tax year 2025 and later, the first $1 million of taxable Washington capital gains is taxed at 7% and any amount above $1 million is taxed at 9.9% (7% plus 2.9%). The standard deduction was $278,000 for 2025 and $270,000 for 2024, so tax applies only to gain above that. A $1,500,000 gain taxed for 2025 owes $91,978.00 before credits.
Estimate your Washington capital gains tax
Result
Press Calculate to see the tax and how much falls in each tier.
Washington capital gains rates and deduction
| Item | Amount | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Rate on first $1,000,000 of taxable gain | 7% | Created by ESSB 5096 in 2021 |
| Rate above $1,000,000 of taxable gain | 9.9% (7% plus 2.9%) | Tax year 2025 onward |
| Standard deduction, 2025 | $278,000 | Per individual, married couple or domestic partnership |
| Standard deduction, 2024 | $270,000 | Per individual, married couple or domestic partnership |
| Charitable donations deduction cap, 2025 | $111,000 | Donations above $278,000 are deductible up to this cap |
| Return and payment due date | April 15 (or next business day) | Same day as the federal return; payment can be made early for 2026 |
The standard deduction is adjusted for inflation each year, so a later year will differ. The Department of Revenue publishes a yearly table; the amounts above are the ones on its capital gains page when it was read.
What is taxed
The tax is on the sale or exchange of long-term capital assets such as stocks, bonds, business interests and some tangible assets, and applies only to individuals, though an individual can owe it through an ownership share in a pass-through entity. It applies only to gains allocated to Washington. Exempt items include real estate, interests in a privately held entity to the extent the gain comes from real estate it owns directly, assets in certain retirement accounts, certain livestock, assets used in a trade or business that are depreciable or qualify for expensing, timber and some REIT timber dividends, commercial fishing privileges and goodwill from a franchised auto dealership.
Worked examples
A taxpayer with $1,500,000 of taxable Washington gain for 2025 subtracts the $278,000 deduction, leaving $1,222,000.00. The first $1,000,000 at 7% is $70,000.00 and the remaining $222,000.00 at 9.9% is $21,978.00, for $91,978.00 in total.
A taxpayer with $400,000 of gain for 2025 has $122,000.00 above the deduction, all in the 7% tier, so the tax is $8,540.00.
Method
The calculator subtracts the standard deduction from the gain you enter, applies 7% to taxable gain up to $1,000,000 and 9.9% to the part above it for 2025, or 7% flat for 2024. It does not apply the charitable deduction, the credit for tax paid to another jurisdiction, the credit for business and occupation tax paid on the same sale, the qualified family-owned small business deduction or any exemption. Enter only gain the tax covers.
What this does not cover
- Which of your assets and gains are allocated to Washington.
- The standard deduction for tax years after 2025, which the Department of Revenue had not listed on the page read.
- Penalties, interest and the substantial underpayment rule.
Figures read from the sources below on November 11, 2026. Last updated November 11, 2026.
Sources
- Washington Department of Revenue: Capital gains tax (retrieved November 11, 2026)
- Washington Department of Revenue: New tiered rates for Washington's capital gains tax (June 30, 2025) (retrieved November 11, 2026)
Common mix-ups
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Often assumedWashington taxes the sale of a house under its capital gains tax.
What the source saysThe Department of Revenue lists the sale or exchange of real estate among the exempt assets, along with interests in a private entity to the extent the gain is directly attributable to real estate it owns directly. [1]
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Often assumedThe 9.9% rate applies to all of your gain once you pass $1 million.
What the source saysBeginning with tax year 2025 the first $1 million of taxable Washington capital gains is taxed at 7% and only the amount above $1 million is taxed at 9.9%, which is 7% plus an additional 2.9%. [2]
- Washington Department of Revenue: Capital gains tax
- Washington Department of Revenue: New tiered rates (June 30, 2025)
Checked against these sources on .
Frequently asked questions
What is the Washington capital gains tax rate?
Seven percent on the first $1 million of taxable gain and 9.9% (7% plus 2.9%) on any amount above $1 million, starting with tax year 2025.
What is the Washington capital gains standard deduction?
The Department of Revenue lists $278,000 for 2025 and $270,000 for 2024, adjusted for inflation each year.
Is real estate subject to the Washington capital gains tax?
No. The sale or exchange of real estate is exempt, as are interests in a private entity to the extent the gain comes from real estate it owns directly.
When is the Washington capital gains return due?
On the same day as the individual federal income tax return, normally April 15. An extension of time to file does not extend the time to pay.
Does the calculator include the charitable deduction or credits?
No. It applies only the standard deduction and the tier rates. Enter only gain the tax covers.
Who has to file a Washington capital gains return?
Only individuals who owe capital gains tax file one, with a copy of their federal return for the same year.
Not legal or tax advice
This page is general information from an unofficial guide, not tax advice, and it is not affiliated with the Washington Department of Revenue. Allocation, exemptions and credits are detailed rules. Use the Department of Revenue guidance or a tax professional before you file. Nothing you type is sent anywhere. It runs in your browser.