Washington D.C. Sales Tax Rate 2026: 6% (7% From October 2027)
Washington D.C.’s sales tax rate is 6%, and there are no local sales taxes, so 6% applies everywhere in the District. The general rate is scheduled to rise to 7% on October 1, 2027.
| Washington D.C. sales tax (2026) | Rate |
|---|---|
| District rate | 6% |
| Local sales tax | None |
| Combined rate | 6% |
Rates as of July 1, 2026, from the Tax Foundation. Work out the tax on an order with our sales tax calculator.
Washington DC operates its own independent sales tax system as a federal district (not a state). The 6% rate applies to most transactions, and DC taxes digital goods including SaaS. DC has no local overlay rates — there is only one government level, so the 6% rate is all-inclusive.
Quick Reference
Section titled “Quick Reference”| Criterion | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rate | 6% (no state/local distinction — single jurisdiction) |
| Economic Nexus Threshold | $100,000 gross sales OR 200 transactions (rolling 12 months) |
| Transaction Threshold | 200 transactions (either test triggers nexus) |
| Digital Goods / SaaS | Taxable |
| Typical Filing Frequency | Monthly |
| SST Member | No |
| Registration Portal | mytax.dc.gov |
DC as a Jurisdiction
Section titled “DC as a Jurisdiction”Washington DC is a federal district, not a state. It has its own Office of Tax and Revenue (OTR), its own sales tax law, and its own compliance requirements. DC is not a state and is not a member of the Streamlined Sales Tax program, but it operates with similar nexus and registration rules to the 50 states.
For sales tax purposes, treat DC as you would any non-SST state — register with OTR directly, collect at the 6% rate, and file with OTR.
Economic Nexus
Section titled “Economic Nexus”For informational purposes only · Not legal or tax advice · Consult a licensed tax professional · Rules as of 2026
DC’s economic nexus threshold is $100,000 in gross sales into DC in the current or prior 12-month period. Once exceeded, registration and collection are required.
Marketplace-facilitated sales count toward the threshold. Washington DC also counts transactions: 200 or more separate sales into the District create nexus even if your revenue is under $100,000. For low-priced products, that’s usually the threshold you reach first.
Tax Rate and Product Taxability
Section titled “Tax Rate and Product Taxability”Washington D.C. sales tax calculator
Every rate that applies at a US ZIP code, worked out on your order.
Sales tax · Washington D.C. 20001
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Collecting sales tax in Washington D.C. and beyond?
GoodVat tracks your economic nexus in every state, registers you, charges the right rate on every order and files your returns.
Calculation only, not legal or tax advice. Verify with the state Department of Revenue before you file. State averages: Tax Foundation, July 1, 2026.
DC’s rate is 6%. There are no separate city, county, or district add-ons — DC is a single-jurisdiction territory. The 6% is the total rate for all DC sales. The general rate is scheduled to rise to 7% on October 1, 2027 — the increase has already been postponed twice, from 2025 and then from 2026, so check the Office of Tax and Revenue before relying on the date.
Higher rates for specific categories:
- Restaurant meals and prepared food: 10%
- Alcoholic beverages: 10.25%
- Hotel/transient lodging: 14.95%
- Parking: 18%
- Commercial parking (unattended): 22%
These higher rates apply to specific industries. Standard retail e-commerce at 6%.
Product Categories
Section titled “Product Categories”Taxable: Tangible personal property, digital goods (including SaaS), most retail goods.
Exempt: Prescription drugs, most groceries (food for home consumption is exempt from the 6% sales tax), qualifying medical equipment.
Digital Goods and SaaS
Section titled “Digital Goods and SaaS”Washington DC taxes SaaS and digital goods. DC’s OTR has applied sales tax to digital transactions:
- SaaS — taxable
- Downloaded software — taxable
- Digital content (music, ebooks, streaming) — taxable
- Online subscriptions for digital products — taxable
DC is a clear taxable jurisdiction for digital sellers. Once you cross $100,000 in DC-destined revenue, register and collect.
Registration
Section titled “Registration”DC is not an SST member. Register directly with the DC Office of Tax and Revenue.
- Go to MyTax.DC.gov: mytax.dc.gov
- Create an account and register for a Sales Tax Account
- Provide EIN and business details
- You will receive a DC Certificate of Registration
Registration is free.
Foreign Sellers
Section titled “Foreign Sellers”DC accepts foreign business registrations. A US EIN is required.
Filing Frequency and Deadlines
Section titled “Filing Frequency and Deadlines”| Annual Tax Liability | Filing Frequency |
|---|---|
| Less than $6,000 | Quarterly |
| $6,000 or more | Monthly |
Monthly due dates: Returns are due by the 20th of the following month.
Returns are filed through MyTax.DC.gov.
Compliance Notes
Section titled “Compliance Notes”Single jurisdiction rate: DC’s 6% rate applies everywhere within the District — no ZIP code rate variations needed.
Not SST: DC is not an SST member. Multi-state SST registration does not cover DC.
Digital sellers: DC taxes SaaS. Register once you cross $100,000.
Dense, high-value market: DC’s small geographic area contains a dense population with high average order values. Many e-commerce sellers with national reach cross the $100,000 threshold here earlier than in larger but more spread-out states.
Washington D.C. Sales Tax FAQ
Section titled “Washington D.C. Sales Tax FAQ”What is the sales tax rate in Washington D.C.?
Section titled “What is the sales tax rate in Washington D.C.?”Washington D.C.’s sales tax rate is 6%. There are no local sales taxes, so the same rate applies everywhere in the District. The general rate is scheduled to rise to 7% on October 1, 2027.
What is the Washington D.C. economic nexus threshold?
Section titled “What is the Washington D.C. economic nexus threshold?”Remote sellers must register and collect Washington D.C. sales tax once they make more than $100,000 in gross sales into the District (rolling 12 months). Making 200 or more separate sales there also triggers nexus, even below $100,000.
Is SaaS taxable in Washington D.C.?
Section titled “Is SaaS taxable in Washington D.C.?”Yes. Washington D.C. generally taxes SaaS and digital goods. See the Digital Goods and SaaS section above for the details.
How often do you file sales tax in Washington D.C.?
Section titled “How often do you file sales tax in Washington D.C.?”Most sellers file monthly. Washington D.C. assigns your filing frequency when you register, based on how much tax you collect, so lower-volume sellers may file less often.