Taxes in Washington, District of Columbia
Complete tax guide for Washington, DC. State income tax up to 10.75%, 0.56% property tax, 6% sales tax. Calculate your total tax burden.
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Taxes in Washington, DC: income, FICA, property, and sales tax
For wage-income planning, this page estimates federal income tax, District of Columbia state income tax, and FICA. It also shows property-tax and sales-tax estimates because local household tax burden depends on address-level property assessments, sales-tax districts, exemptions, and item categories.
State Income Tax
10.75%
District of Columbia
Property Tax
0.56%
Effective rate
Sales Tax
6%
Combined rate
Tax Burden
Very High
Washington, DC Tax Overview
District has its own progressive income tax up to 10.75%; commuter tax applies to DC residents only
Population
689,545
Median Income
$101,722
Cost of Living
152.1 (100 = avg)
State Income Tax
10.75%
Median Home Price
$645,000
Washington Tax Calculator
Pre-filled with Washington median: $101,722
Total Tax Burden in Washington
$32,266
Take-Home: $69,456 · Effective Rate: 31.72%
Federal Tax
$13,549
13.32% eff.
DC State
$10,935
10.75% eff.
FICA
$7,782
7.65% eff.
Take-Home
$69,456
68.28% kept
Tax Breakdown
| Item | Annual | Monthly |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | $101,722.00 | $8,476.83 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$13,548.84 | -$1,129.07 |
| District of Columbia State Tax | -$10,935.12 | -$911.26 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$6,306.76 | -$525.56 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$1,474.97 | -$122.91 |
| Take-Home Pay | $69,456.31 | $5,788.03 |
Property Tax in Washington
Median Home
$645,000
Annual Tax
$3,612
Monthly Tax
$301
Effective Rate
0.56%
Sales Tax in Washington
Combined Rate
6%
State Portion
~3.5%
Local Portion
~2.5%
The combined sales tax rate in Washington is 6%, which is below the national average of 7.12%. On a $100 purchase, you would pay $6.00 in sales tax.
Sales and use tax can vary by exact address, district, item category, exemptions, and effective date. Treat this city rate as a planning estimate and verify large purchases with the official state sales-tax lookup or local tax authority.
Tax Burden Comparison
| Tax Type | Washington | District of Columbia Avg | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Tax | 10.75% | 10.75% | 4.6% |
| Property Tax | 0.56% | ~0.56% | 1.1% |
| Sales Tax | 6% | ~6% | 7.12% |
| Overall Burden | Very High | — | Moderate |
About Taxes in Washington
Washington has a population of approximately 689,545 residents with a median household income of $101,722. The cost of living index is 152.1 (52.1% higher than the national average of 100).
Local context: District has its own progressive income tax up to 10.75%; commuter tax applies to DC residents only
Tax burden classification: Very High. Effective combined tax rate of 35.2% includes federal, state, FICA, property, and sales taxes for a typical Washington household.
Official Tax Resources for District of Columbia
For authoritative District of Columbia tax forms, filing deadlines, and the latest legislative updates, consult these official government resources:
- DC Office of Tax and Revenue — official state revenue agency
- District of Columbia Individual Income Tax Forms — current tax year forms and instructions
- IRS Federal Tax Forms and Instructions — federal income tax filing
Tax Saving Tips for Washington Residents
- District of Columbia's income tax rate of 10.75% is above average. Maximize pre-tax retirement contributions (401k up to $24,500, IRA up to $7,500) to reduce both federal and state taxable income.
- Property tax in Washington (0.56%) is below the national average of 1.1%. This makes homeownership more affordable here relative to property tax burden.
- Use a Health Savings Account (HSA) if eligible. Contributions are tax-deductible ($4,400 individual, $8,750 family), growth is tax-free, and withdrawals for medical expenses are tax-free.
Find Your Local Tax Authority in Washington
The 0.56% property tax rate shown above is a city-profile effective estimate. Your actual Washington property tax bill is set by your county assessor and may include additional levies from your school district, municipal utility district (MUD), or special assessment district. Use these official lookup tools to confirm exact rates for your specific address:
Look up the county your Washington address belongs to and find your assessor's office:
- • NACo County Explorer — search by address
- • USA.gov — District of Columbia local govt directory
School districts add their own millage rate to property tax:
- • NCES District Locator — federal database
- • NCES School Locator (EDGE)
Municipal Utility Districts and special assessment districts are common in fast-growing District of Columbia suburbs:
- • Census — Census of Governments
- • Check your tax bill for line items beyond county + school district
Disagree with your assessment? You can appeal:
- • Property Tax Appeal Guide
- • Most counties allow 30-60 days post-assessment to file appeal
Why this matters: Two homes valued the same in Washington can pay different property tax depending on which school district + MUD they fall within. Always verify with your specific address — the address-level rate may be 10-30% higher than the city average shown here.
Sources & Methodology
Tax rate data on this page is compiled from official government sources and updated for the 2026 tax year. Calculations follow the IRS-published 2026 federal tax brackets, FICA rates (6.2% Social Security up to $184,500 wage base, 1.45% Medicare), and District of Columbia state tax provisions. Property tax estimates use Washington's median home value of $645,000and the local effective property tax rate of 0.56%.
- • Federal tax brackets and standard deductions: IRS.gov
- • State income tax rates and brackets: DC Office of Tax and Revenue
- • Median household income, home value, and demographics: U.S. Census Bureau ACS
- • Cost of living comparisons: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CES
- • National average benchmarks: Tax Foundation state-level tax burden studies
Disclaimer: Estimates are for informational purposes only. Actual tax liability depends on filing status, deductions, credits, and individual circumstances. Consult a licensed tax professional or your state revenue agency for binding tax guidance.
Reviewed by LevyIO Tax Research Team · Published 2026-01-15 · Last updated 2026-05-27
Calculate Your Full District of Columbia Tax Burden
See detailed state tax brackets, FICA breakdown, and compare to neighboring states.
Reviewed data sources
Reviewed May 27, 2026. Calculations use current public tax guidance and published source data.
1. Enter the tax scenario
Use the filing status, income type, state, payroll, deduction, credit, or transaction details that match the real case.
2. Review assumptions
Check the visible formula context, source notes, related calculators, and federal or state limits before relying on the estimate.
3. Verify before filing
Confirm final tax positions with IRS guidance, state revenue agencies, payroll records, brokerage forms, or a qualified tax professional.
Planning estimate, not tax advice
LevyIO calculators are educational planning tools. Actual federal, state, payroll, property, sales, and local tax results can change with filing status, credits, deductions, residency, employer withholding, address-level rates, and current forms. Verify final filing positions with IRS or state guidance, payroll records, tax software, or a qualified tax professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the tax rates in Washington, DC?
Washington, District of Columbia has a state income tax rate up to 10.75%. The property tax rate is 0.56% and the combined sales tax rate is 6%. District has its own progressive income tax up to 10.75%; commuter tax applies to DC residents only
How much is property tax in Washington?
The effective property tax rate in Washington is 0.56%. On the median home price of $645,000, this equals approximately $3,612 per year or $301 per month. This is below the national average of 1.1%.
What is the sales tax rate in Washington?
The combined sales tax rate in Washington is 6%, which includes both state and local components. This is below the national average combined rate of approximately 7.12%.
How does Washington's tax burden compare to other cities?
Washington has a very high overall tax burden. The effective total tax rate for a median-income household is approximately 35.2%. The combination of 10.75% state income tax, 0.56% property tax, and 6% sales tax determines the total burden. Cost of living index is 152.1 (100 = national average).
Are there any local taxes in Washington?
Washington does not impose a separate local or city income tax. Residents pay the state income tax of 10.75%, federal income tax, and FICA (Social Security and Medicare). District has its own progressive income tax up to 10.75%; commuter tax applies to DC residents only