Maryland Sales Tax Calculator
Figure the tax, the total, or the pre-tax price for any U.S. state or city rate
Maryland keeps its sales tax unusually simple: the statewide rate is a flat 6%, and — unlike most U.S. states — Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City are not permitted to levy local sales taxes on top of the state rate. This means the Tax Foundation's average combined rate for Maryland equals the state rate exactly: 6.00%. No matter whether you shop in Baltimore, Bethesda, Annapolis, or Cumberland, you pay the same 6% on taxable purchases.
Worked example: A $100 purchase of taxable goods in any Maryland store results in $6.00 of sales tax, bringing your total to $106.00. On a $500 appliance, that's $30.00 in tax — a predictable number anywhere in the state.
Not everything is taxable at 6%. Maryland exempts most unprepared groceries from sales tax — everyday food items bought at a qualifying grocery store are generally tax-free. Prescription drugs and most medical equipment are also exempt. However, candy, soft drinks, and carbonated beverages are taxable, as Maryland's tax code does not classify them as food. Prepared meals — whether restaurant dining or ready-to-eat carry-out — are taxed at the standard 6% rate. Alcoholic beverages carry a higher rate of 9%. Effective July 1, 2025, a reduced 3% rate applies to certain B2B computing and web-hosting services.
Use this calculator to find the sales tax on any Maryland purchase: enter the 6% rate (pre-filled below) and your purchase amount to see the exact tax and grand total.
Practical example — Maryland
A shopper buying a $250 television at a Maryland electronics store pays $15.00 in sales tax (6%), for a total of $265.00 — the same amount at any location statewide.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Maryland?
Maryland's statewide sales tax rate is 6% for 2025. This single rate applies uniformly across all counties and cities — there are no additional local sales taxes layered on top.
Does Maryland have local sales tax in addition to the state rate?
No. Maryland is one of a small number of states where counties and municipalities are prohibited from imposing their own local sales taxes. The 6% state rate is the only sales tax you pay, regardless of which city or county you shop in.
Are groceries taxed in Maryland?
Most unprepared groceries purchased for home consumption are exempt from Maryland's 6% sales tax, provided they are sold at a qualifying grocery or market business. However, candy, soft drinks, carbonated beverages, and prepared foods (restaurant meals and ready-to-eat carry-out) are fully taxable at 6%.
What is the sales tax on a $500 purchase in Maryland?
At Maryland's 6% rate, a $500 taxable purchase generates $30.00 in sales tax, for a total of $530.00. This amount is the same no matter where in Maryland you make the purchase.
Are there any items taxed at a rate higher or lower than 6% in Maryland?
Yes. Alcoholic beverages in Maryland are taxed at 9% rather than the standard 6%. Certain B2B computing infrastructure and web-hosting services became eligible for a reduced 3% rate as of July 1, 2025. Most prescription drugs and medical equipment are fully exempt.