Yes, it appears that the WA real estate excise tax is a tax on the sale/transfer of property. According to the WA Department of Revenue, the WA (REET) is a tax on the sale of real property. All sales of real property in the state are subject to REET unless a specific exemption is claimed. The seller of the property typically pays the real estate excise tax, although the buyer is liable for the tax if it is not paid. Unpaid tax can become a lien on the transferred property.
The WA DOR defines the term sale as follows:
" A sale means, any conveyance, grant, assignment, quitclaim, or transfer of the ownership of or title to real property,..." (underline and bolded text added)
Here is a link to the WA DOR webpage from which the above quoted information was obtained.
WA Department of Revenue
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