Local sales tax rates will be changing in San Juan County and the cities of Sequim and Spokane on Jan. 1.

Sales and use tax rates in San Juan County will increase three-tenths of one percent (0.3%) for criminal justice and public safety purposes.  The higher rate does not apply to the sale of motor vehicles or for up to the first 36 months of leased motor vehicles.

The rate in Sequim will increase one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) for public safety purposes. The higher rate does not apply to the sale of motor vehicles or for up to the first 36 months of leased motor vehicles.

The city of Spokane will impose a Special Hotel/Motel Tax at a rate of 1.3 percent.  This tax is in addition to the 2 percent lodging tax already imposed in the City of Spokane by the Spokane County Public Facilities District.  These taxes only apply to lodging business with 40 or more units.

More information is available online at http://Dor.wa.gov/LocalTaxRateChanges.  The Department encourages businesses to sign up for the sales tax rate change listserv at http://Dor.wa.gov/Listserv to get notices of future changes in local sales tax rates.