Apply for Admissions Tax Program

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.

 

In Person

Step 1.Complete the application prior to the event

Step 2.Post the admission tax information at the time of your event.

  • List the applicable admission tax rate on the ticket separate from the ticket price.
  • Post a sign in an obvious place at the venue entrance or ticket office that breaks down the admission charge. 
  • Post the Certificate of Admissions issued by the City in the same manner as the ticket break down.  (Click here for sample)(PDF, 7KB)

Step 3.Submit the tax on admissions report after your event.

 

By Mail

Steps to Kirkland's Admission Tax program for those who charge admission

Prior to your event:

  1. Submit the Application Certificate of Registration(PDF, 149KB)
  2. Mail in the Application to the City’s Finance Department/Tax Division with the applicable fee.

At the time of your event:

  1. List the applicable admission tax rate on the ticket separate from the ticket price.
  2. Post a sign in an obvious place at the venue entrance or ticket office that breaks down the admission charge. 
  3. Post the Certificate of Admissions issued by the City in the same manner as the ticket break down.  (Click here for sample)(PDF, 7KB)

After your event:

  1. Submit the Tax on Admission Charges Report(PDF, 150KB) to the City’s Finance Department/Tax Division within 15 working/calendar days after the end of the month in which the tax was collected.

 

Contact Us

Phone

425-587-3116 (Main)

Alternate Phone

711 (TTY)

Fax

425-587-3110 (Fax)

Email

taxes@kirklandwa.gov

Location

Finance Department - Tax Section
123 Fifth Avenue
Kirkland
98033
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