Seattle Tax Advisors Directory

Top Tax Advisors in Seattle, WA

TL;DR

Best tax advisors in Seattle, WA ranked by AI visibility. State tax: 0% income tax; 7–9.9% capital gains tax (enacted 2021). Find verified specialists for…

We evaluated 131 tax advisors serving Seattle and ranked the top 8 by TrustRank — our composite score of AI search visibility, verified client reviews, and credentials.

Seattle tax advisors navigate Washington's 0% income; 7–9.9% cap gains — Gains over $1M taxed at 9.9% since Jan 2025; real estate and retirement accounts exempt.

Get Matched With a Top Seattle Tax Advisor →
Updated Q1 2026
By Tania Kozar
131 reviewed, 8 selected
50 prompts tracked
Seattle Market Overview

Tax Advisors in Seattle

Seattle has a competitive tax advisory market serving individuals, corporations, and high-net-worth families. Washington's income tax structure — 0% income; 7–9.9% cap gains — is Gains over $1M taxed at 9.9% since Jan 2025; real estate and retirement accounts exempt. Local specialists focus heavily on federal tax optimization alongside state compliance, and many advise on entity structure decisions that take advantage of Washington's specific tax rules.

0% income
WA income tax rate
35%
Businesses using outside tax counsel
$2,800
Avg. individual tax return cost (CPA)
Apr 15
Federal tax deadline

Key professional associations: ACG Seattle — 180 members (est. 2005); Northwest Growth Conference and CFA Society Seattle — 900+ members (est. 1974). Washington's specific tax rules — 0% income tax; 7–9.9% capital gains tax (enacted 2021) — require advisors with deep state compliance expertise.

ACG Seattle — 180 members (est. 2005); Northwest Growth ConferenceCFA Society Seattle — 900+ members (est. 1974)NAIFA Washington

How TrustRank Works

Our independent scoring system for tax advisors in Seattle

TrustRank is not a paid placement. We independently evaluated 131 tax advisors serving Seattle across three measurable dimensions. No firm can pay to appear or improve its rank.

Component 1 — 55%

AI Visibility Score

We tracked 50 prompts across ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Overviews, and Claude asking about tax advisors in Seattle. The % of prompts where each firm appears.

Component 2 — 25%

Review Score

Aggregate ratings across Google, Clutch, and the ProCloser.ai verified review system. Weighted by volume and recency of verified client reviews.

Component 3 — 20%

Content Authority

Depth, accuracy, and credibility of published content, case studies, and thought leadership demonstrating sector expertise in Seattle.

Top 8 Tax Advisors in Seattle, WA

1
Deloitte Tax
Serves Seattle, WA
92%
AI Visibility
4.2
Project Fee Est. 1895 Min: $10M+ revenue

Big Four tax advisory giant with a full-service Seattle office offering corporate tax, international tax, transfer pricing, and M&A tax structuring for large and mid-market companies.

corporate tax advisor SeattleDeloitte tax Seattleinternational tax Seattle
Corporate TaxInternational TaxM&A Tax
2
PwC Tax & Legal Services
Serves Seattle, WA
89%
AI Visibility
4.1
Project Fee Est. 1849 Min: $10M+ revenue

Global tax and legal advisory with deep Seattle presence, specializing in tax controversy, digital assets, mergers and acquisitions, and state and local tax for corporations.

PwC tax Seattletax controversy SeattleSALT advisor Seattle
Tax ControversySALTM&A Tax
3
KPMG Tax
Serves Seattle, WA
86%
AI Visibility
4
Project Fee Est. 1897 Min: $5M+ revenue

Big Four firm with a strong Seattle tax practice covering federal, state, international, and real estate tax for corporations, partnerships, and high-net-worth individuals.

KPMG tax Seattlereal estate tax advisor Seattlepartnership tax Seattle
Federal TaxReal Estate TaxHigh-Net-Worth
4
EY Tax
Serves Seattle, WA
84%
AI Visibility
4.1
Project Fee Est. 1989 Min: $5M+ revenue

Ernst & Young's tax services group with a major Seattle presence, advising private equity, family businesses, and public companies on tax strategy and compliance.

EY tax SeattleErnst Young tax SeattlePE tax advisor Seattle
Private Equity TaxFamily BusinessTax Strategy
5
RSM US
Serves Seattle, WA
79%
AI Visibility
4.3
Project Fee Est. 1926 Min: $1M+ revenue

Leading middle-market tax advisor with a prominent Seattle office serving privately held businesses, real estate investors, and high-net-worth families with tax planning and compliance.

RSM tax Seattlemiddle market tax advisor Seattleprivate company tax Seattle
Middle MarketReal EstatePrivately Held
6
Grant Thornton Tax
Serves Seattle, WA
75%
AI Visibility
4.2
Project Fee Est. 1924 Min: $1M+ revenue

National accounting firm with an established Seattle tax practice, specializing in federal and state tax compliance, international expansion, and transaction tax advisory.

Grant Thornton Seattlenational CPA firm Seattletransaction tax Seattle
Federal TaxInternationalTransaction Tax
7
BDO USA Tax
Serves Seattle, WA
71%
AI Visibility
4.1
Project Fee Est. 1910 Min: $500K+ revenue

Top 10 accounting firm with a growing Seattle tax practice, serving emerging growth companies, family-owned businesses, and real estate developers with comprehensive tax services.

BDO tax Seattlegrowth company tax advisor Seattleaccounting firm Seattle
Growth CompaniesFamily BusinessReal Estate
8
Moss Adams
Serves Seattle, WA
66%
AI Visibility
4.4
Project Fee Est. 1913 Min: $250K+ revenue

West Coast-rooted accounting firm with strong Seattle representation, specializing in technology, manufacturing, and real estate tax services for privately held businesses.

Moss Adams Seattletech company tax advisor Seattlemanufacturing tax Seattle
TechnologyManufacturingReal Estate

Tax Advisors Market Overview — Seattle, WA

Seattle's CPA market has been transformed by Washington's new 7% capital gains tax (effective 2022, upheld 2023) — previously, Washington's '0% income tax' made state returns trivially simple. Now, CPAs must track capital gains transactions against the $250,000 threshold and file a new Washington capital gains return for eligible taxpayers.

Market Indicator Data Point
Licensed CPAs9,000+
State Income Tax0% (7% on LT cap gains >$250K)
Amazon/MSFT Returnsdominant
WA Capital Gains Returns (2022+)new filing requirement

Regulatory & Licensing Environment

Washington CPAs are licensed by the Washington State Board of Accountancy. Washington's 7% capital gains tax (LT gains above $250K) is filed on Form CG annually. Washington has no income tax, no estate tax, and no inheritance tax. The Washington Long-Term Care Trust Act imposes a 0.58% payroll tax (LTC payroll deduction) on employees without qualifying private LTC insurance.

Tax Advisors Fees in Seattle, WA

Fee Type Typical Range
Individual Return (WA cap gains added)$900–$2,500
Amazon RSU Return$1,500–$4,000
WA Capital Gains Return (Form CG)$500–$1,500 add-on
Hourly Rate (CPA)$275–$475/hr

Washington's new capital gains return (Form CG) is priced as an add-on by most Seattle CPAs — $500–$1,500 additional to prepare the WA Form CG alongside the federal return.

How to Choose a Tax Advisors in Seattle, WA

  • WA Form CG expertise: Washington's new capital gains return is only a few years old. Ask CPAs whether they've filed Form CG for multiple clients and understand the exemptions (real estate, retirement accounts, small business stock).
  • Amazon vesting schedule knowledge: Amazon's unusual 5/15/40/40 vesting schedule creates large income swings in years 3 and 4. CPAs who work with Amazon employees know to plan year 3 and 4 estimated payments early.
  • Washington LTC payroll tax: The WA Long-Term Care Trust Act (0.58% payroll tax) applies to employees without qualifying private LTC insurance. Ask CPAs whether they've reviewed your LTC coverage for WA LTC opt-out eligibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about choosing tax advisors in Seattle, WA.

How do Seattle CPAs file the new Washington capital gains return (Form CG)?+
Washington's capital gains tax (7% on LT gains above $250K) is filed on Form CG, due April 15 (same as federal). CPAs aggregate all long-term capital gain transactions from federal Form 8949, subtract the $250,000 annual deduction, apply available exemptions (real estate sales, retirement account distributions, small business stock meeting criteria), and compute the WA capital gains tax on the net. The WA capital gains tax is calculated on a separate Washington return — not through the federal return.
What capital gains are exempt from Washington's 7% capital gains tax?+
Exempt: (1) Real estate sales — including primary residences and investment property; (2) Retirement account distributions — IRA, 401(k), TSP withdrawals are not capital gains; (3) Gains from sale of a farm or agricultural business; (4) Gains from qualified family businesses; (5) Gains from QSBS under specific criteria. Notably, gains from selling Microsoft or Amazon stock held in a regular taxable brokerage account are NOT exempt and are subject to the 7% WA capital gains tax above the $250K threshold.
How do Seattle CPAs handle Amazon employees in years 3 and 4 of their vesting schedule?+
Amazon's 5/15/40/40 vesting schedule concentrates 80% of the 4-year RSU grant in years 3 and 4. CPAs who work with Amazon employees begin year 3 estimated tax planning in year 2 — projecting the year 3 RSU income, adjusting W-4 withholding, calculating Q1–Q4 estimated tax payments, and ensuring Washington's capital gains tax is covered if gain positions are sold. Underpayment penalties apply if less than 90% of the prior year's tax is paid in.
Are there Seattle CPAs who specialize in Microsoft ESPP disqualifying dispositions?+
Yes — Microsoft's ESPP offers a 10% discount with a 2-year lookback provision. Selling ESPP shares before satisfying the 2-year holding period (a 'disqualifying disposition') converts some of the gain from capital gain to ordinary income. Seattle CPAs who specialize in MSFT employees flag ESPP sale dates and classify income correctly between ordinary compensation income and capital gain on Schedule D.
How does the Washington Long-Term Care Trust Act payroll tax affect Seattle employees' W-2s?+
Washington's LTC payroll tax (0.58% of all wages) is withheld from employee paychecks unless the employee had qualifying private LTC insurance before the November 2021 deadline (now closed). The LTC deduction appears as WA Cares on Washington pay stubs and W-2s. The LTC payroll tax is not deductible on federal returns as a state income tax (because WA doesn't have income tax). Seattle CPAs ensure clients understand the distinction.

Reviewed by: Tania Kozar, EA — ProCloser.ai Research  |  Last Updated: April 2026  |  Sources: SEC IAPD, FINRA BrokerCheck, state regulatory filings, ProCloser.ai primary research.

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