Washington Sales Tax on Gold and Silver
CHECKED 2026-10-28. NOT TAX ADVICE.
Washington charges sales tax and B&O tax on gold and silver bullion starting January 1, 2026.
The 1985 exclusion for precious metal bullion and monetized bullion (RCW 82.04.062) was repealed by 2025 c 423 section 105 (ESSB 5794), effective January 1, 2026. Sales are now treated as taxable retail or wholesale sales. A 2026 effort to restore the exemption was reported as not passing.
General state sales tax rate: 6.5%. Repealed by 2025 c 423 s 105, effective Jan. 1, 2026; signed May 20, 2025. Local tax adds to the 6.5% state rate (dor.wa.gov/taxes-rates/retail-sales-tax). 2026 restoration bills (HB 2115, SB 5894) reported dead via bill tracker, not an official source.
Where this comes from
Washington Legislature, RCW 82.04.062 (repealed) ; rate from Washington Department of Revenue. Checked 2026-10-28. Local sales taxes and rules for specific items can differ, so read the source before you rely on it.
Under IRS Form 1099-B instructions, a sale of precious metals in a form and quantity that matches a CFTC-approved futures contract (for example, at least 25 gold coins of a covered type) can require the broker or dealer to report it; a single coin sale does not, and sales to the same customer within 24 hours are added together. irs.gov
General information only. This is not tax advice. Rules change and have exceptions.
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Quick answers
Does Washington charge sales tax on gold and silver bullion?
Washington charges sales tax and B&O tax on gold and silver bullion starting January 1, 2026. The 1985 exclusion for precious metal bullion and monetized bullion (RCW 82.04.062) was repealed by 2025 c 423 section 105 (ESSB 5794), effective January 1, 2026. Sales are now treated as taxable retail or wholesale sales. A 2026 effort to restore the exemption was reported as not passing.
Where does this Washington rule come from?
Washington Legislature, RCW 82.04.062 (repealed) ; rate from Washington Department of Revenue: https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=82.04.062. Lustre checked it on 2026-10-28.
Is this tax advice?
No. It is general information from the source above. Rules change and have exceptions. Check with the state tax agency or a tax professional.