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Washington Counties with High Unemployment May Qualify for Sales Tax Deferral

Yakima County qualifies for the Washington High Unemployment Sales Tax Deferral Program.

Washington State allows a sales and use tax deferral for counties with high rates of unemployment. The High Unemployment County Sales/Use Tax Deferral Program “grants a deferral of sales/use tax on purchases of qualifying machinery, equipment and construction” to certain approved businesses.

In order to qualify for this exemption, businesses must be:

  • Located in qualifying counties or Community Empowerment Zones (CEZs); and
  • Engaged in the business of manufacturing, research and development laboratories, commercial testing facilities, or vegetable seed conditioning.

The following counties are eligible to apply for the High Unemployment County Sales/Use Tax Deferral Program between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2016:

  • Clallam County
  • Clark County
  • Columbia County
  • Cowlitz County
  • Ferry County
  • Grays Harbor County
  • Klickitat County
  • Lewis County
  • Mason County
  • Pacific County
  • Pend Oreille County
  • Skamania County
  • Stevens County
  • Wahkiakum County
  • Yakima County

The High Unemployment County Sales/Use Tax Deferral Program expires on July 1, 2020. Additional information is available on a Washington Department of Revenue website.

How does your business keep track of sales tax changes in Washington and other states? Learn how an automated sales tax solution works.

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Gail Cole
Avalara Author
Gail Cole
Gail Cole
Avalara Author Gail Cole
Gail began researching and writing about sales tax in 2012 and has been fascinated with it ever since. She has a penchant for uncovering unusual tax facts, and endeavors to make complex sales tax laws more digestible for both experts and laypeople.