# RCW 82.44.060: RCW 82.44.060: Tax requirements—Payment of tax based on registration year—Transfer of ownership

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S060

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 82.44.060
- **Heading:** RCW 82.44.060: Tax requirements—Payment of tax based on registration year—Transfer of ownership
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 82 / Chapter 44 / Section 060

## Text

(1) Any locally imposed excise tax: (a) Is due at the time of registration of a vehicle; (b) Must be paid in full before any registration certificate or license tab may be issued; (c) Is in addition to any other vehicle license fees required by law; (d) Must be collected by the department, county auditor or other agent, or subagent appointed by the director of licensing before issuing the registration certificate; (e) Must be collected for each registration year; and (f) Must be levied for one full registration year beginning on the date of the calendar year designated by the department and ending on the same date of the next succeeding calendar year. For vehicles registered under chapter 46.87 RCW, proportional registration, and for vehicle dealer plates issued under chapter 46.70 RCW, the registration year is the period provided in those chapters. However, the tax shall in no case be less than two dollars except for proportionally registered vehicles. (2) A vehicle is deemed registered for the first time in this state when the vehicle was not previously registered by this state for the registration year immediately preceding the registration year in which the application for registration is made or when the vehicle has been registered in another jurisdiction subsequent to any prior registration in this state. (3) An additional tax may not be imposed under this chapter on any vehicle when the certificate of title is being transferred if the tax has already been paid for the registration year or fraction of a registration year in which transfer of ownership occurs.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 82.44.010 RCW 82.44.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S010.md)
- [RCW 82.44.015 RCW 82.44.015: Ride-sharing passenger motor vehicles excluded—Exemption requirements—Notice—Liability for tax.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S015.md)
- [RCW 82.44.035 RCW 82.44.035: Valuation of vehicles.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S035.md)
- [RCW 82.44.060 RCW 82.44.060: Tax requirements—Payment of tax based on registration year—Transfer of ownership.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S060.md)
- [RCW 82.44.065 RCW 82.44.065: Appeal of valuation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S065.md)
- [RCW 82.44.090 RCW 82.44.090: Penalty for issuing a dealer's license, plates, or a registration without collecting tax.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S090.md)
- [RCW 82.44.100 RCW 82.44.100: Tax receipt.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S100.md)
- [RCW 82.44.120 RCW 82.44.120: Claims for refunds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S120.md)
- [RCW 82.44.125 RCW 82.44.125: Vehicles subject to tax—Exemptions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S125.md)
- [RCW 82.44.135 RCW 82.44.135: Local government must contract with department of licensing.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S135.md)
- [RCW 82.44.140 RCW 82.44.140: Director of licensing may act.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S140.md)
- [RCW 82.44.190 RCW 82.44.190: Transportation infrastructure account—Deposits and distributions—Subaccounts.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S190.md)
- [RCW 82.44.195 RCW 82.44.195: Transportation infrastructure account—Highway infrastructure account—Finding—Intent—Purpose—1996 c 262.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S195.md)
- [RCW 82.44.200 RCW 82.44.200: Electric vehicle account.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S200.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T82_C44_S060. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.
