Massachusetts Sales Tax Calculator
Figure the tax, the total, or the pre-tax price for any U.S. state or city rate
Massachusetts keeps its sales tax simple: the statewide rate is 6.25%, and because Massachusetts does not permit cities, counties, or municipalities to impose additional local sales taxes, that is also the average combined rate — 6.25% everywhere in the state. Whether you are shopping in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, or a small Cape Cod town, the rate is identical.
This puts Massachusetts firmly in the middle of the national pack — below the New England neighbors Connecticut (6.35%) and Rhode Island (7%), and well below high-rate states like California or Tennessee, but higher than the five states that collect no sales tax at all.
What is taxable? Most tangible goods are subject to the 6.25% rate, including electronics, clothing items priced above $175 (only the amount over $175 is taxed), furniture, and vehicles. Notably, Massachusetts exempts unprepared groceries and food purchased for home consumption from sales tax, as well as prescription drugs and many medical devices.
Worked example: Buy a $100 item at any Massachusetts retailer and you will pay exactly $6.25 in sales tax, bringing your total to $106.25. Purchase a $250 coat and the tax applies only to the $75 above the clothing exemption threshold: $75 × 6.25% = $4.69 in tax.
Use this calculator to find the sales tax on any purchase. Enter 6.25 as the rate and your purchase amount, and the result is your exact tax and grand total.
Practical example — Massachusetts
A $1,200 laptop purchased at a Massachusetts retailer would incur $75.00 in sales tax (6.25%), for a total of $1,275.00 — a straightforward calculation since Massachusetts has no local tax variations to account for.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts has a flat statewide sales tax rate of 6.25%. There are no additional city, county, or local sales taxes in Massachusetts — every jurisdiction in the state charges the same 6.25%, making the average combined rate equal to the state rate.
Does Massachusetts have local sales tax on top of the state rate?
No. Massachusetts law does not allow municipalities to add local sales taxes on top of the 6.25% state rate. This is different from most other states, where cities and counties often layer additional taxes on top of the state base rate. In Massachusetts, 6.25% is always the final rate.
Are groceries taxed in Massachusetts?
Unprepared food and groceries purchased for home consumption are exempt from Massachusetts sales tax. However, meals sold by restaurants, cafeterias, caterers, and similar establishments are taxed at 6.25% (and an additional local meals tax of up to 0.75% may apply in some cities for restaurant meals specifically, though this is separate from the general sales tax).
Is clothing taxed in Massachusetts?
Clothing priced at $175 or less per item is exempt from Massachusetts sales tax. For items costing more than $175, only the portion of the price exceeding $175 is taxed at 6.25%. For example, a $300 jacket would be taxed only on the $125 above the threshold, resulting in $7.81 in sales tax.
Are prescription drugs taxed in Massachusetts?
No. Prescription medications and many medical devices are exempt from Massachusetts sales tax. Over-the-counter drugs are generally taxable. This exemption is consistent with the approach taken by most US states.