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TAX ON SALE OF REAL ESTATE

SEA-MC tit. 5, subtit. II, ch. 5.64
in effect

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.010 Imposition of real estate excise tax.

5.64.010 - Imposition of real estate excise tax. There is hereby imposed an excise tax upon each sale of real property in the corporate limits of this City at the rate of one-quarter (¼) of onepercent (1%) of the selling price as authorized by Chapter 49, Laws of 1982, 1st Extraordinary Session. (Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.020 Consistency with state tax.

5.64.020 - Consistency with state tax. A. The tax shall be collected in the same manner as the State Real Estate Excise tax imposed by RCW Chapter 82.45. B. All applicable rules, regulations, laws and court decisions regarding real estate excise taxes as imposed by the state under RCW Chapter 82.45 and implemented by Washington Administrative Code Chapter 458-60 shall apply. (Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.030 Deposit and use of tax proceeds

5.64.030 - Deposit and use of tax proceeds King County may retain one percent of the proceeds of the taxes collected for the County current expense fund to defray the costs of collection. All remaining proceeds from City taxes collected shall be paid to the Director of Finance and Administrative Services at least monthly and, upon receipt, deposited in the REET II Capital Projects Fund for municipal capital improvements, including those listed in RCW 35.43.040. (Ord. 125492, § 21, 2017; Ord. 123361, § 165, 2010; Ord. 120794 § 130, 2002: Ord. 116368, § 169, 1992; Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.040 Lien provisions.

5.64.040 - Lien provisions. The tax and any interest or penalties thereon are a specific lien upon each piece of real property sold from the time of sale until the tax is paid, which lien may be enforced in the manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages. (Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.050 Seller's obligation.

5.64.050 - Seller's obligation. The tax is an obligation of the seller and may be enforced through an action against the seller or in the manner prescribed for the foreclosure of mortgages. Resort to one (1) course of enforcement is not an election not to pursue another. (Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.060 Notation of payment.

5.64.060 - Notation of payment. The tax shall be paid to and collected by the King County Comptroller, who shall act as agent for the City in collecting the tax and perform the duties contemplated by Section 16, Chapter 49, Laws of 1982, First Extraordinary Session. (Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.070 Date payable.

5.64.070 - Date payable. The tax is due and payable immediately at the time of sale and, if not paid within thirty (30) days thereafter, shall bear interest at the rate of one percent (1%) per month from the time of sale until the date of payment. (Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.080 Refunds of excessive and improper payments.

5.64.080 - Refunds of excessive and improper payments. If the State Department of Revenue authorizes a refund of an excessive amount or an improper payment of the state real estate excise transaction upon a particular sale, King County, upon application of the taxpayer, may make a refund of the City tax paid, and withhold a like amount from the next monthly distribution to the City. (Ord. 123361, § 166, 2010; Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.090 Apportionment.

5.64.090 - Apportionment. When a sale involves a single property bisected by the City's limits, or two or more real properties, some of which are located within the City and some of which are located outside, King County may determine the tax amount due to the City according to information supplied upon accompanying affidavits, and, if unable to determine the appropriate value therefrom, King County may rely upon recommendations of the State Department of Revenue, or the King County Assessor in making a determination of the amount of tax due. (Ord. 123361, § 167, 2010; Ord. 110674 § 1(part), 1982.)

Seattle Mun. Code § 5.64.100 Additional real estate excise tax.

5.64.100 - Additional real estate excise tax. In accordance with RCW 82.46.035, and in addition to the excise tax on sale of real property imposed by Sections 5.64.010 and 5.64.020, there is hereby imposed an excise tax on each sale of real property located within the corporate limits of The City of Seattle at the rate of 0.25 percent of the selling price to be collected by the County as prescribed in RCW 82.46.060. Proceeds from this additional tax shall be deposited in the REET II Capital Projects Fund and expended as authorized by law, solely for financing capital projects specified in a capital facilities plan element of a comprehensive plan. (Ord. 125492, § 22, 2017; Ord. 116497, § 4, 1992; Ord. 115932, § 1, 1991.)
Source: City of Seattle, Seattle Municipal Code and City Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/wa/seattle/codes/municipal_code?nodeId=TIT5REFITA_SUBTITLE_IITA_CH5.64TASAREESFetched: 11/1/2026

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