Arkansas Sales Tax Calculator
Figure the tax, the total, or the pre-tax price for any U.S. state or city rate
Arkansas levies a 6.5% state sales tax on most retail goods and services — one of the higher state base rates in the South. But the real number shoppers feel is the average combined rate of 9.48%, which stacks the state's 6.5% on top of county and city taxes that average roughly 2.98 percentage points more. Arkansas has over 400 local taxing jurisdictions, so the combined rate you pay depends heavily on where you make a purchase — cities like Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Fort Smith each add their own local increments.
A practical example: if you buy a $100 item in a typical Arkansas city, expect to pay about $9.48 in sales tax, bringing your total to $109.48. In a high-tax city the total can reach $112–$113 on that same purchase.
Groceries: Arkansas completed a phased elimination of the state-level grocery tax on January 1, 2026. For most of 2025, a residual 0.125% state tax still applied to food. Local grocery taxes, however, remain in effect — so you may still see a small sales tax line on supermarket receipts depending on your city or county.
Prepared food (restaurant meals, fast food, ready-to-eat items) is fully taxable at the combined rate regardless of the grocery exemption.
To use this calculator, enter the purchase amount and the applicable combined rate for your location. The default is pre-filled with the statewide average of 9.48% — you can adjust it to your exact city rate for a more precise figure. Results are estimates; confirm current local rates with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration.
Practical example — Arkansas
A $250 appliance purchase in a typical Arkansas city at the 9.48% combined rate adds $23.70 in sales tax, for a total of $273.70 at the register.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Arkansas?
Arkansas has a 6.5% state sales tax rate. When you add average local taxes (county and city), the combined rate across the state averages 9.48%, according to the Tax Foundation's 2025 data. Your exact rate depends on where you shop.
Does Arkansas have local sales taxes on top of the state rate?
Yes. Arkansas has more than 400 local taxing jurisdictions. Counties can levy up to 2% and cities can add additional increments. The local portion averages about 2.98%, pushing the combined rate well above the 6.5% state base.
Are groceries taxed in Arkansas?
The state-level tax on groceries was fully eliminated on January 1, 2026 (a 0.125% remnant still applied through most of 2025). However, local grocery taxes from counties and cities remain in effect, so you may still pay a small sales tax on food depending on your location. Prepared and restaurant food is fully taxable at the normal combined rate.
Which Arkansas cities have the highest combined sales tax rates?
Some Arkansas cities reach combined rates of 12% or more. For example, certain special taxing districts can push totals to 12.625%. Fayetteville's combined rate is around 9.75%, while rates in Little Rock typically sit near 9.5%. Always check with the Arkansas DFA for the rate at your specific address.
Is the Arkansas sales tax calculator accurate for my city?
The calculator uses the statewide average combined rate of 9.48% as a default, which gives a reasonable ballpark for most Arkansas purchases. For an exact figure, update the rate field with your city's specific combined rate, available from the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration's online rate lookup tool.