Massachusetts Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Calculate sales tax in Massachusetts. Massachusetts has a 6.25% state sales tax rate and no local sales taxes. Based on current MA rates.

By Konstantin Iakovlev · Updated October 19, 2026 · Methodology

$
%
Groceries (food for home)
Clothing

Total Tax

$6.25

Total with Tax

$106.25

Combined Rate

6.250%

Tax Breakdown

State Tax (6.25%)$6.25
Local Tax (0.00%)$0.00
Total Sales Tax$6.25
Total with Tax$106.25

Disclaimer: This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax, financial, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the information you provide and current rates. Always consult a qualified tax professional or financial advisor for advice specific to your situation.

Massachusetts Sales Tax Guide

Massachusetts charges a 6.25% sales tax, and the figure on your receipt is the whole story, the state does not allow cities or counties to add local sales tax on top. That uniformity sets it apart from states where the rate jumps from one town to the next, so a purchase in Boston, Worcester, or Pittsfield carries the same 6.25% on taxable goods.

What counts as taxable is narrower than many shoppers expect. Massachusetts exempts most groceries and prescription drugs, and it exempts individual clothing items priced at or below $175 (only the amount above $175 on a pricier item is taxed). Prepared meals, on the other hand, are taxable and can carry an additional local meals tax. The flip side of buying tax-free from out-of-state or online sellers is use tax: when you bring a taxable item into Massachusetts and no sales tax was collected, you owe the same 6.25% directly to the Department of Revenue, often reported on your annual income tax return.

Massachusetts Sales Tax Details (2026)

State Sales Tax Rate 6.25%
Local Sales Taxes No
State Income Tax 5% (flat)
Avg. Property Tax Rate 0.95%

Official Sources:

Massachusetts Sales Tax FAQ

Are groceries taxed in Massachusetts?
Most groceries and unprepared food sold for home consumption are exempt from the 6.25% sales tax. The exemption does not extend to prepared or restaurant meals, which are taxable and may carry an additional local meals tax that a city or town has opted into. So a bag of groceries is generally tax-free, while the same ingredients served as a hot meal are not.
How does the Massachusetts clothing exemption work?
Clothing is exempt up to $175 per item. If a single garment costs more than $175, only the portion above that threshold is taxed at 6.25%, not the entire price. A $200 coat, for example, is taxed only on the $25 above the cap, which keeps everyday apparel effectively tax-free for most shoppers.
Do I owe use tax on out-of-state or online purchases?
Yes, if you buy a taxable item without paying Massachusetts sales tax, such as from a seller that did not collect it, you owe 6.25% use tax to the Department of Revenue. The rate matches the sales tax, and individuals typically report it on the state income tax return. Many large online retailers now collect Massachusetts tax at checkout, which satisfies the obligation for those purchases.
Is the sales tax rate higher in Boston than in the rest of Massachusetts?
No. Massachusetts does not permit local add-ons to the general sales tax, so the 6.25% rate is the same statewide. The one place geography matters is prepared meals, where a city or town can adopt an extra local meals tax, but that applies to dining, not to general retail purchases.

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