As mandated by state law, King County collects the real estate excise tax (REET) on the sale of real estate. REET is a tax on the sale of real estate and is typically paid by the seller of the property. Excise taxes assessed on a conveyance (transfer) must be paid prior to the recording of the conveyance documents, such as the warranty deed or real estate contract. All documents submitted to the Recorder's Office must be prepared ahead of time. While we do not provide templates and cannot assist with preparation, please do review our formatting tips.
A Real Estate Excise Tax Affidavit must be completed and signed by all parties involved in a real property conveyance. You can download the applicable form below and submit the completed form to our office. If you would like help completing the form, please contact the Washington State Department of Revenue. Please note, you need the latest version of Adobe Acrobat to print these forms and you must use at least size 8 font.
| Documents | Fees |
|---|---|
| Non-taxable excise tax affidavits | $10 |
| Taxable excise tax affidavits | $5 plus excise tax |
Public recording services end at 3:30
The Recorder’s Office cannot offer legal advice or determine the legal correctness or function of the content of your document. It is highly advised that you consult a professional before recording.