Exemption

Digital automated service - data processing

Retail Sales & Use Tax exemption · RCW 82.04.192(3)(b)(xv) · enacted 2010

All exemptions & deductions
Repealed / removedESSB 5814 (2025) · effective 2025-10-01

Before ESSB 5814

Data processing delivered as a digital automated service was excluded from the definition of "retail sale" under RCW 82.04.192(3)(b) and was reported under the service & other activities B&O classification only.

Source: 2024 DOR Tax Exemption Study · RCW 82.04.192(3)(b)(xv)

After

Effective October 1, 2025, ESSB 5814 treats data processing services as an enumerated retail sale subject to retail sales/use tax. Confirm specific facts against ESSB 5814 and DOR's interim guidance.

Source: ESSB 5814 (2025)

Details

Citation
RCW 82.04.192(3)(b)(xv)
Study reference
E1563-1
Tax type
Retail Sales & Use Tax
Preference type
Exemption
Category
Business
Year enacted
2010
End date
None scheduled

Fiscal impact (2024 study estimates)

Revenue if repealed — local ($M)
FY 2024: 0 · FY 2025: 9.402 · FY 2026: 10.713 · FY 2027: 11.223
Revenue if repealed — state ($M)
FY 2024: 0 · FY 2025: 17.137 · FY 2026: 19.135 · FY 2027: 20.045
Taxpayer savings — local ($M)
FY 2024: 9.877 · FY 2025: 10.257 · FY 2026: 10.713 · FY 2027: 11.223
Taxpayer savings — state ($M)
FY 2024: 21.964 · FY 2025: 22.808 · FY 2026: 23.822 · FY 2027: 24.956

CTI = confidential taxpayer information · D = unable to disclose

From the 2024 DOR Tax Exemption Study

82.04.192(3)(b)(xv) - Digital automated service - data processing Description Digital automated services are classified as retail sales and are subject to retailing B&O tax. However, digital automated services exclude data processing services from the definition of digital automated services, so they are instead subject to the service and other activities B&O tax classification. Data processing services includes automated services to extract information from customer-supplied data including check processing, image processing, form processing, survey processing, payroll processing, claim processing, and similar activities. Any services beyond the bare processing itself would disqualify an activity. Purpose To protect the sales and use tax base, establish certainty in the tax code, maintain conformity with the streamlined sales and use tax agreement, and encourage economic development. Taxpayer ($ in millions): savings FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 State Taxes $21.964 $22.808 $23.822 $24.956 Local Taxes $0.000 $10.257 $10.713 $11.223 Repeal of Repealing this exemption would increase revenues. exemption Potential ($ in millions): revenue gains FY 2024 FY 2025 FY 2026 FY 2027 from fu

Does this apply to you?

This is reference data from the 2024 study — not advice, and 2025–26 legislation may have changed it. Three ways to go deeper: