Effective April 1, 2009, the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) tax will be increasing the local sales and use tax by five-tenths of one percent (.005) to a total of nine-tenths (.009). The tax increase will be used to expand and coordinate light-rail, commuter-rail, and express bus service, and improve access to transit facilities in King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties.
Businesses must collect the appropriate new rate of sales tax for retail sales and services provided within King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties. Persons or businesses within King, Pierce, and Snohomish Counties will be subject to the new rate of use tax on items purchased for their personal or business use if sales tax has not been paid.