Kent vs Kirkland
How do taxes & fees rules compare between Kent, WA and Kirkland, WA?
Kent and Kirkland have similar restriction levels.
Kent, WA
King County
Kent short-term rental operators must collect Washington state sales tax, King County lodging tax, and city lodging tax totaling roughly 12 to 13 percent. Remittance is made through the Washington Department of Revenue.
View full Kent rules →Kirkland, WA
King County
Short-term rental operators in Kirkland must collect Washington sales tax, state lodging tax, King County tax, and pay Kirkland business license fees based on gross receipts.
View full Kirkland rules →Key Facts Comparison
| Fact | Kent | Kirkland |
|---|---|---|
| Combined Tax Rate | Approx 12 to 13 percent | - |
| State Sales Tax | 6.5 percent plus local | - |
| Lodging Tax | King County and Kent | - |
| Rental Threshold | Under 30 days | - |
| Remittance | Washington DOR | - |
| State sales tax | - | About 10.3 percent in Kirkland |
| King County lodging | - | 2 percent |
| City lodging tax | - | 1 percent |
| City license fee | - | About 125 dollars plus receipts |
| Record retention | - | 5 years minimum |
Highlighted rows indicate differences between cities.
Kent FAQ
What taxes apply to my Kent Airbnb?
State sales tax, King County lodging tax, and Kent lodging tax apply to rentals under 30 days, typically totaling 12 to 13 percent.
Does Airbnb collect taxes for me?
Airbnb collects some Washington taxes automatically, but operators should verify which taxes remain their responsibility to remit.
Kirkland FAQ
Does Airbnb collect Washington taxes for me?
Airbnb and VRBO collect and remit state and local sales and lodging taxes under the marketplace facilitator law, but hosts must still register and file returns showing the marketplace-collected amounts.
Is Kirkland business license revenue-based?
Yes, Kirkland charges a base license fee plus a gross receipts component that increases with annual revenue, and STR income counts toward that total.
Compare other topics
See how Kent and Kirkland compare on other ordinance categories.
Want to add a third city?
Use our full comparison tool to compare up to three cities.
Open Comparison Tool