Bullion sales tax · District of Columbia
District of Columbia sales tax on gold and silver
Is gold taxed in District of Columbia?
Yes.
Washington, D.C. has no sales tax exemption for bullion or coins, so gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars, rounds and coins are taxed like other goods.
- Investment gold & silver
- Taxable
- Order threshold
- None
- Metals covered
- None exempt
- Jewelry
- Taxed · about 6%
What's taxed in District of Columbia
| What you're buying | Sales tax | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Gold and silver bars and rounds | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in District of Columbia. |
| Gold and silver bullion coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands) | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in District of Columbia. |
| Platinum and palladium bullion (bars, rounds and coins) | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in District of Columbia. |
| Rare and graded (numismatic) coins | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in District of Columbia. |
| Jewelry | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in District of Columbia. |
| Medals, collectibles and accessories | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in District of Columbia. |
The rule, in plain English
Washington, D.C. has no sales tax exemption for bullion or coins, so gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars, rounds and coins are taxed like other goods.
What counts: None. D.C. Code § 47-2001(s): 'Tangible personal property' means corporeal personal property of any nature. § 47-2001(n)(1): 'retail sale' covers the sale of any tangible personal property in any quantity.
Still taxed: All bullion, coins (legal tender and numismatic), rounds, jewelry and accessories delivered in D.C.
What you would pay: three District of Columbia examples
| Purchase delivered to District of Columbia | Sales tax |
|---|---|
| Silver coins, $500 | about $30 taxed like other goods |
| Gold coins, $5,000 | about $300 taxed like other goods |
| A gold necklace, $1,000 | about $60 jewelry is taxed |
Using District of Columbia's 6% state rate plus the average local rate, 6% combined (Tax Foundation, January 2026). Your city or county rate may be higher or lower.
District of Columbia and its neighbors
Different rules next door: Maryland (tax-free on orders over $1,000) and Virginia (tax-free). Tax follows the delivery address, not where you live.
Buying from Bullion Trading LLC with delivery to District of Columbia
No District of Columbia sales tax is added at our checkout. For questions about use tax, ask a tax professional.
Orders ship insured and discreetly packed: USPS under $1,000, FedEx with adult signature from $1,000, usually within 2–3 business days after payment clears. Bank transfer and check are our best price; card and PayPal add 5% (up to $7,500).
Popular bullion delivered to District of Columbia
The large price is the check/wire price; the card/PayPal price is listed under it. Prices follow the live spot price.
Selling gold in District of Columbia
Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. District of Columbia taxes the gain as ordinary income (top rate 10.75% in 2026).
Dealers have to report some larger sales to the IRS on Form 1099-B; keep your purchase receipts to show your cost.
We buy bullion at our counter at 20 West 47th Street in New York: walk in with a photo ID and we pay by same-day check. How selling to us works
Local taxes
D.C. is a single jurisdiction; no separate local tax. The current general sales tax rate was not re-verified in this pass.
Common questions about District of Columbia
Is gold taxed in District of Columbia?
Yes. Washington, D.C. has no sales tax exemption for bullion or coins, so gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars, rounds and coins are taxed like other goods.
Is silver taxed in District of Columbia?
Yes. District of Columbia taxes silver bullion and coins like other goods.
Is gold jewelry taxed in District of Columbia?
Yes. Jewelry is taxed like other goods in District of Columbia (about 6% on average with local tax), even when it is made of gold, silver or platinum.
Do I pay tax when I sell gold in District of Columbia?
Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. District of Columbia taxes the gain as ordinary income (top rate 10.75% in 2026).
Selling to a dealer
No sales tax
A gain on the sale
Taxed by the IRS as a collectible, up to 28% when held more than a year
Sources
- D.C. Code § 47-2005 — Gross sales tax exemptions (no bullion/coin exemption; history through D.C. Law 26-54, Nov. 21, 2025) (checked October 19, 2026)
- D.C. Code § 47-2001(n), (s) — Definitions of retail sale and tangible personal property (no exclusion for money, coins or bullion) (checked October 19, 2026)
- State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026 (table: State & Local Sales Tax Rates as of January 1, 2026) (Tax Foundation)
- 2026 Sales Tax Rates, Midyear Update (rates as of July 1, 2026) (Tax Foundation)
- State Individual Income Tax Rates and Brackets, 2026 (Tax Foundation)
- IRS Topic 409: capital gains and losses (collectibles rate)
How we research and check this guide: our method.