Washington State Legislation Would Exempt Nonprofits from New Sales Tax on Live Presentations

A new Washington State retail sales tax on live presentations is raising concerns across the association community; a bill in the state legislature could provide some relief for nonprofits. 

Last year, Washington expanded its retail sales tax to cover live educational events held in the state. Since Oct. 1, 2025, most live presentations, including in-person training sessions, workshops, seminars and live online programs with real-time interaction, have been treated as taxable retail sales.

For associations that rely on events to deliver on their core missions, the tax poses a direct challenge. Events give members access to peers who share their professional challenges, building relationships and a sense of community. They provide concentrated professional development, continuing education credits and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange that members cannot get elsewhere. A sales tax on these activities threatens to undermine the ability of nonprofit organizations to serve their members and the public.

Please select this link to read the complete article from Associations Now.