Hi Lisa (Bonkycat),
Well since someone else is interested in this, I decided to roll up my sleeves a little and do a bit of experimenting.
I came up with a much better method of importing the tax rate data.
The import step was definitely the most bothersome part of the whole process.

So, just for the sake of clarity, I'm still keeping the instructions for re-working the WA DOR data and turning it into a usable excel sheet. Here is the link:
http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/attach...3&d=1277407594

After that, I had some instructions for uploading with MS Access. I was never happy with it.
Please trash those instructions (as long as this new method works for you).

Please note: I use phpMyAdmin for managing the database. Your software may be different depending on your hosting.

After the excel sheet is done, we need to alter it slightly for importing.
For these purposes, delete the first row.
(This method imports data but does NOT create the table – so the first row is redundant here.)
Then for the last column H (local_tax_class_id):
Instead of the number 1 in all rows, you'll want to have 1\r\n
(phpMyAdmin says "A Carriage Return and Linefeed (\r\n) is strongly recommended to minimize errors.")
Then save the file as CSV.
Here is a link to my new csv import sheet:
http://www.fashionpatterns.com/downl...csv_100712.zip
You will probably need to extract the file from the zip file before importing.

(Just to repeat what Bonkycat noted: my database uses 62 for the zone for WA State. If yours is different, please adjust as necessary.)

Log on to your database using phpMyAdmin.
I'll try to make this simple and hopefully not confuse too many people.
Again, this method imports data, but does not create the table.
For simplicity, just go ahead and delete the table tax_rates_local.

Here is a small sql file to re-create a blank table.
WA_taxrates_createtable.zip
Probably best to unzip the file prior to working with it.
From phpMyAdmin, click on the SQL tab to do an SQL query.
You can either copy and paste it into the query window or upload the file. (I tried both ways, and both worked just fine for me.)
This will create a fresh blank table with no rows.

Then click on tax_rates_local on the left hand side.
Once we're working on the correct table, click on the SQL tab.
At the bottom, there is an option to "Insert data from a textfile into table" – click on that.

I have these options available:
Location of the textfile – browse to locate the CSV file that we created earlier.
Replace table data with file – left as default – blank
Fields separated by – left as default – there should be a comma here
Fields enclosed by – left as default – blank
Characters escaped by – left as default – blank
Lines separated by – left as default – \r\n
Column names – left as default – blank

Then click on the "Upload File" button.
It may take a few minutes to upload depending on the speed of your internet connection, server speed, etc.
Then check to make sure that all of the rows were imported.
For this latest one, Q3 2010, my csv had 48275 rows.

That's it! Should be ready to go.
Hope this helps.