About Kirkland’s Admissions Tax Program
If you attend an indoor or outdoor event within Kirkland city limits where an admission fee is charged, you’ll be paying a tax on the admissions price. That’s because the City of Kirkland’s Admissions Tax Program requires any person, group, company, etc. that charges an admission price to charge and collect admissions tax. This includes online and third party ticket sales.
The Admissions Tax Rate for Kirkland is 5% of the established ticket price. The Program applies to non-profit organizations and charitable fundraisers.
For example, if you attend a musical performance at a local high school theater, your admissions price would include the 5% city admissions tax. The Program exempts elementary and secondary school activities where an admission fee is charged.
If you or your organization hosts an event where the following are applied to your patrons:
- cover charge
- entrance fee
- one-time charge
- season ticket price
you will need to follow the steps defined in the Admissions Tax Program Brochure(PDF, 2MB) .
If you are holding monthly events, you need to complete only one application. Once you receive the Certificate of Admissions from the City's Finance Department, it will be effective for one year.