Sales Tax and Spend Category Updates in Workday Effective 10/1/2025

This past spring, the 2025 Washington State Legislature passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5814, which introduces significant changes to the state’s tax framework by expanding the scope of taxable items and services.

Under interim guidance issued by the State of Washington and the Department of Revenue, Washington State University will be implementing a series of changes beginning October 1, 2025, to comply with these new requirements.

On 10/1, Spend Categories in Workday will be updated in preparation for the tax changes as referenced above. We have also created new spend categories to assist with tax applicability usages of “taxable” and “non-taxable.”

All updated and new Spend Categories will be outlined in the Spend Category Guidance reference guide under the new section “Spend Category Updates and Additions Effective 10/1/25.”  

CR REF Spend Categories provides live and consistent data regarding Spend Categories in Workday and may be used as an additional reporting resource.

Please reach out to the Accounts Payable teams at accounts.payable@wsu.edu with questions or concerns.