What is the Washington State Sales Tax?

As of Oct 1, 2025 Washington law now requires sales tax on certain ticketed events. If your event falls into a taxable category, the ticket buyer pays the sales tax at checkout and Bold Type Tickets will collect and remit the tax to the state on your behalf.

Under Washington law (ESSB 5814), sales tax applies to “live presentations.”

 A live presentation is an event where people give, receive, and discuss information in real time.

Examples of taxable live presentations: Courses, classes, seminars, workshops, or other programs for personal or professional enrichment — such as, but not limited to art, music, choir, pottery, business and marketing, cooking, wellness or other enrichment presentations.

What is Not Taxable as a Live Presentation?

• Performances such as concerts, DJ events/dance nights, plays, musicals, operas, comedy shows, movies, or sporting events
• Fundraisers or benefit events (e.g., charity auctions, benefit dinners)
• K–12 school and accredited higher education programs as part of standard curriculum

More information: https://dor.wa.gov/laws-rules/interim_guidance_statements/interim-guidance-statement-regarding-changes-made-essb-5814-live-presentations

How is the Washington State Sales Tax applied to my event in Bold Type Tickets?

1. When you set up your event, we’ll ask a few simple questions to determine if your event is taxable.
2. If it is, sales tax will be added to the ticket price at checkout.
3. Ticket buyers pay the tax.
4. Bold Type Tickets collects and remits the tax directly to the Washington Department of Revenue.