Capital gains tax

Online help - how to

• Make a payment
• File a return
• Request an extension
•  Register a capital gains account  (2:08)
•  File a capital gains return  (6:13)

Interim guidance statements

• Capital gains excise tax and calculation of credit for taxes paid to another taxing jurisdiction
• Capital gains excise tax and Section 1256 contracts
• Definition of domicile for capital gains excise tax allocation purposes
• Late payment penalties and Washington's capital gains tax

How to report and pay the tax

Only individuals owing capital gains tax are required to file a capital gains tax return, along with a copy of their federal tax return for the same taxable year.

Return filing and extensions

Individuals must file their capital gains tax return by the same day as the individual's federal income tax return is due.

To receive an extension for filing your Washington Capital Gain return, you must request an extension for your capital gains tax return by submitting a request electronically through My DOR on or before April 15. To qualify for the extension you must have received a filing extension for your federal income tax return. A filing extension does not extend the due date for submitting a payment.

All taxpayers must electronically file their capital gains excise tax returns along with a copy of their federal tax return and all required documentation. The department may waive the electronic filing requirement for good cause, however, the waiver must be granted before you file your return. To file electronically go to My DOR or select tax preparation software. 

Penalties will apply to late returns.

If an extension is requested or a payment is made, you must file a return with the department regardless of any tax being due.

Payments

Payments are typically due on April 15th, unless this falls on a weekend or holiday. However, starting with tax year 2026, you may prepay your capital gains tax up to six months before the payment due date. For more information, see our special notice.

Individuals must pay taxes by electronic funds transfer or another form of department authorized electronic payment, such as by credit card. The department may waive the electronic payment requirement for good cause, however, the waiver must be granted before you file you file and submit your payment. Penalties may apply to payments not submitted electronically.

Additional penalties and interest will apply to late payments.

If you submit an estimated payment by the original filing deadline, you will not owe late payment penalties. However, if you substantially underpaid your tax liability, you will owe the substantial underpayment penalty. Substantially underpaid means you have paid less than 80% of the tax due.

Please see our interim guidance statement for more information on this topic.

Questions

If you have general questions regarding Capital Gains or would like to request a binding ruling, please use our web page titled Request a tax ruling.

Background

The 2021 Washington State Legislature passed ESSB 5096 (RCW 82.87) which created a 7% tax on the sale or exchange of long-term capital assets such as stocks, bonds, business interests, or other investments and tangible assets.

This tax only applies to individuals. However, individuals can be liable for the tax because of their ownership interest in a pass-through or disregarded entity that sells or exchanges long-term capital assets. The tax only applies to gains allocated to Washington state.

The department adjusts the deduction annually for inflation. See yearly table.

The revenue collected from this tax funds the education legacy trust and common school construction accounts.

Exemptions, deductions, and credits

Exemptions

The sale or exchange of the following assets are exempt from the Washington capital gains tax:

• Real estate.
• Interests in a privately-held entity to the extent that the capital gain or loss from such sale or exchange is directly attributable to the real estate owned directly by such entity.
• Assets held in certain retirement accounts.
• Assets subject to condemnation, or sold or exchanged under imminent threat of condemnation.
• Certain livestock related to farming or ranching.
• Assets used in a trade or business to the extent those assets are depreciable under Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 167(a)(1) of the internal revenue code or qualify for expensing under Title 26 U.S.C. Sec. 179 of the internal revenue code.
• Timber, timberlands, and dividends and distributions from real estate investment trusts derived from gains from the sale or exchange of timber or timberlands.
• Commercial fishing privileges.
• Goodwill received from the sale of a franchised auto dealership.

Deductions

The following deductions apply:

• The standard deduction for 2025 is $278,000. In 2024 the standard deduction was $270,000 per year per individual, married couple, or domestic partnership. The standard deduction amount is adjusted for inflation annually.
• The long-term capital gain from an individual’s sale of all or substantially all of a qualified family-owned small business.
• Charitable donations in excess of $278,000 for 2025 per year per individual. The charitable donations deduction cannot exceed $111,000 for 2025 per year per individual. For 2024 the deduction for donations was $108,000 for donations in excess of $270,000. These amounts are adjusted for inflation annually.

Credits

The following tax credits are available:

• A business and occupation (B&O) tax credit for B&O taxes due on the same sale or exchange which is subject to the Washington capital gains tax. Expired Dec. 31, 2025. Available for tax years 2022-2024. 

• A Washington capital gains tax credit equal to the amount of B&O tax paid on a sale or exchange that is also subject to Washington’s capital gains tax. Available starting with tax year 2025. 

• A Washington capital gains tax credit for the amount of any legally imposed income or excise tax paid by the individual to another taxing jurisdiction on capital gains derived from capital assets within the other taxing jurisdiction to the extent such capital gains are included in the individual's Washington capital gains.