Texas Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate Texas sales tax by city — state rate is 6.25%, local governments can add up to 2% for a maximum combined rate of 8.25%.
Did this tool work for you?
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter the price and select your city — most major Texas cities add the maximum 2% local tax on top of the 6.25% state rate.
- 2
Unincorporated areas (outside city limits) only pay the 6.25% state rate unless a special district applies.
- 3
To reverse-calculate the pre-tax price from a receipt, switch to "Remove tax from total".
- 4
Most grocery food items, prescription drugs, and agricultural items are exempt from Texas sales tax.
Frequently asked questions
What is Texas's sales tax rate?
Texas has a 6.25% statewide sales tax rate. Cities, counties, transit authorities, and special purpose districts can add up to 2%, giving a maximum combined rate of 8.25%. Most major Texas cities (Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio) charge the full 8.25%. Texas's 8.25% cap is lower than California's (which can exceed 10.75%).
Are groceries taxed in Texas?
No — most grocery food items are exempt from Texas sales tax. However, prepared foods (restaurant meals, deli hot foods, bakery items sold for immediate consumption) are taxable. Candy and snack foods are taxable. Soft drinks are taxable. Water (plain bottled) is generally taxable unless sold through a vending machine.
Is Texas sales tax charged on services?
Generally no — Texas sales tax applies to tangible personal property, not services. However, Texas does tax certain services: telecommunications, internet access, cable TV, amusement services, certain personal services (e.g., laundry, car washing, some repair services). Real estate services and professional services (legal, medical, accounting) are not taxed.
How does Texas sales tax work on cars?
Texas charges a 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax (not the regular sales tax rate) on vehicle purchases. This is collected by the Texas DMV when you title and register the vehicle. The taxable amount is the sale price minus any trade-in credit. Private-party sales are taxed at 6.25% on the sale price or the "standard presumptive value" (SPV), whichever is higher.
Texas Sales Tax Calculator 2024 — Houston, Dallas, Austin, San Antonio
How to use the texas sales tax
Use this texas sales tax to calculate how much sales tax you owe on any purchase in Texas. Texas charges a statewide base rate of 4% — local cities and counties add their own levies on top, so the rate you pay depends on where you shop.
Texas sales tax by city
Enter your purchase amount and select your city or area. The tool instantly shows the tax amount, pre-tax price, and total. Select 'Remove tax from total' on a receipt to extract how much was tax. Prescription drugs are typically exempt in most states; grocery exemptions vary by state.
When Texas sales tax applies
Sales tax in Texas affects everyday shopping, big-ticket purchases, and e-commerce orders. Online sellers shipping to Texas must collect sales tax (since the South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling). Local rates can change — check the Texas Department of Revenue for the latest rates. This texas sales tax uses 2026 rates.
Texas sales tax vs California
Texas's maximum combined rate (8.25%) is lower than California's (up to 10.75% in some cities). However, Texas taxes more types of transactions — notably utilities and some services that are exempt in California. For most everyday retail purchases, Texans pay slightly less in sales tax than Californians, but the gap is smaller than the maximum rates suggest.
Online purchases and Texas use tax
If you buy online from a retailer who doesn't collect Texas sales tax (rare post-Wayfair, but still happens with smaller sellers), you technically owe Texas use tax at the same rate. Texas is one of the more aggressive states in enforcing use tax compliance for business taxpayers, though enforcement on individuals is minimal. Major online retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Target) collect Texas sales tax at checkout.
Learn more from an authoritative source:
InvestopediaCompound Interest Calculator
Calculate how your investment or savings grows over time with the power of compounding.
Simple Interest Calculator
Calculate simple interest, total amount, and interest earned using principal, rate, and time.
ROI Calculator
Calculate return on investment, net profit, and annualised ROI for any investment.
CAGR Calculator
Calculate Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) for investments, revenue, or any metric over time.
Results are estimates for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional financial, medical, legal, or technical advice. Read full disclaimer →