A new iPhone mobile app allows users to look up sales and use tax rates for any Washington location, and an Android-compatible app is soon to follow.

The free app developed by the Washington Department of Revenue is designed to help businesses that make deliveries or provide retail services at multiple locations in the state.

"We are using the latest technologies to constantly adapt to the changing needs of taxpayers," said Janet Shimabukuro, assistant director of the Department's Taxpayer Services division, in a news release. "The new app should help businesses get the right rate and location code quickly."

The app will be particularly useful to mobile businesses such as contractors who need to code sales tax to the location where a service is performed. It also will help retailers who ship products from one location to another. Under Washington law, the sales tax must be coded to the destination of a shipped or delivered product.

The app, which also works on the iPad, is available at http://dor.wa.gov/TaxRateMobile.

Reach DAVE GALLAGHER at dave.gallagher@bellinghamherald.com or call 715-2269.