Organizing an event

Washington - Understanding Tax Collection

For live events in Washington, there is a Retail Sales Tax applied to non-exempt events. Eventbrite is also required to collect and remit tax on applicable ticket sales for online events, unless you’re exempt from sales tax. Learn more about tax on ticket sales.

In this article

  • If you’ve been collecting tax in Washington

  • If you or your event is tax-exempt

If you’ve been collecting tax in Washington

You will no longer be able to collect tax in Washington since Eventbrite is now responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax on ticket sales.

If you or your event is tax-exempt

When you set up your event, you’ll have to answer a couple brief questions in Tax settings. Tax will only be charged if your event is in one of the following categories:

  • Live presentation

  • Fitness or athletic activity

  • Recreational activity

  • Any other activity considered a taxable retail sale under Washington state law (RCW 82.04.050 ).

Your event will be exempt from tax if either of the following are true:

  • Your event is not in one of the above categories.

  • You are a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization hosting a fundraising event or otherwise exempt from tax under Wash. Rev. Code § 82.04.3651 .

Still have questions?