10/06/2026
Hey everybody, just a reminder that on WA state lilve, in person CE classes, we have to charge sales tax. Boo, hiss! So all of your in person CE classes in the $200 range will cost about $20 extra depending on what the local retail tax rate is + the WA state tax.
*Washington Sales Tax Notice
Why is sales tax being charged on this class?
Washington State recently changed the tax treatment of live educational classes and continuing education. Effective October 1, 2025, Washington law began treating many live presentations—including seminars, workshops, courses, and continuing professional education—as taxable retail sales.
Under RCW 82.04.050, a “retail sale” now includes qualifying live presentations. The Washington Department of Revenue specifically identifies continuing professional education and in-person instructional classes, workshops, seminars, and courses as examples of taxable live presentations.
This is a change in Washington State law. In the past, in-person continuing education classes such as this one were generally not subject to retail sales tax. Unfortunately, this is no longer the case for classes that fall under the new definition of a taxable live presentation.
Under RCW 82.08.020, retail sales tax must be collected on taxable retail sales. In addition, RCW 82.32.730 establishes the rules for determining which local sales tax rate applies.
For an in-person class, the sale is generally sourced to the location where the class takes place. Because this class is being held in Walla Walla, Washington, the applicable combined sales tax rate is 9.1%.
Therefore, the tax on this $200 class is:
Class tuition: $200.00
Washington retail sales tax (9.1%): $18.20
Total: $218.20
Precision Body Mechanics does not keep this tax as additional income. The sales tax collected is reported and remitted to the Washington State Department of Revenue as required by law.
I realize this is an unfortunate change and adds an additional cost to continuing education. I wish I didn't have to charge it, but because Washington law now requires sales tax to be collected on qualifying live presentations, I am required to collect and remit the tax.
Thank you for your understanding.
Brenda M. Wiesner, LMT
