US retirement calculator
Retirement planning for Washington.
No state income tax. Start with your situation
Start with your situationWashington at a glance (2026)
Top combined rate
37%
State tax model
None
Standard deduction
$16,100
RMD start age
73
No state income tax
Washington does not levy a state income tax. Your 401(k)/IRA withdrawals, Roth conversions, Social Security, and investment gains are taxed only at federal rates (10-37%).
What this means for your retirement
Washington retirement planning insights
Washington has no state income tax — combined with no tax on Social Security, pensions, or 401(k)/IRA withdrawals at the state level, it's one of the top retirement tax states
Washington's 7% capital gains tax (on gains over $270,000) was upheld by the state supreme court — this affects retirees liquidating large non-retirement portfolios
Unlike Texas and Florida, Washington has a relatively high sales tax (6.5% state + local, often totaling 10%+) which impacts spending-heavy retirees
The combination of no income tax + Roth conversion efficiency makes Washington ideal for high-income tech workers transitioning to retirement in the Seattle area
Frequently asked questions
› Does Washington tax retirement income?
No — Washington has no state income tax. 401(k)/IRA withdrawals, Social Security, pensions, and Roth conversions are all state-tax-free. The only exception is the 7% capital gains tax on realized gains over $270,000/year (not including retirement account withdrawals).
› Is the Washington capital gains tax a concern for retirees?
Only if you're selling more than $270,000 in appreciated non-retirement investments in a single year. Retirement account withdrawals (401k, IRA, Roth) are exempt. Strategic lot selection and multi-year distribution can keep you under the threshold.
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