Virginia Sales Tax Calculator
Figure the tax, the total, or the pre-tax price for any U.S. state or city rate
Virginia levies a 5.3% state sales tax that already embeds a mandatory 1% local component, so every county and independent city in the commonwealth starts at 5.3%. On top of that, many localities add their own additional tax, pushing the average combined state-and-local rate to 5.77% according to the Tax Foundation. Some Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads localities charge a full 7% — the highest in the state — due to regional transportation funding taxes.
One of Virginia's most consumer-friendly rules took effect on January 1, 2023: groceries for home consumption are taxed at only 1%, reflecting just the mandatory local portion. Staples like bread, milk, and fresh produce qualify for this reduced rate. Prepared meals, alcohol, and soft drinks are taxed at the full combined rate.
Worked example: Buy a $100 pair of sneakers in Richmond (combined rate 6%). The tax is $6.00, making your total $106.00. In Fairfax County (7%), that same purchase costs $107.00.
To use this calculator, enter the purchase price and the combined sales tax rate for your Virginia city or county. Not sure of your local rate? The Virginia Department of Taxation publishes a lookup tool at tax.virginia.gov. The result shows both the tax amount and your final purchase total — useful for budgeting before you head to the register.
Practical example — Virginia
A $500 laptop purchased in Fairfax County at the 7% combined rate generates $35.00 in sales tax, for a total of $535.00 — about $18.50 more than the same purchase in a Virginia county with only the 5.3% base rate.
Calculator
Fill in the fields and click "Calculate" for instant results.
Embed this calculator on your site
Copy the code below and paste it into the HTML of your site or blog.
<iframe src="https://www.calcnimbus.com/embed/sales-tax-calculator" width="100%" height="500" frameborder="0" style="border:1px solid #eee;border-radius:12px"></iframe>
❓ Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Virginia?
Virginia's state base sales tax rate is 5.3%, which already includes a mandatory 1% local component. With additional local taxes, the average combined rate statewide is approximately 5.77%. Rates range from 5.3% in most rural counties up to 7% in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads localities.
Does Virginia have local sales tax on top of the state rate?
Yes. The state rate of 5.3% itself embeds a 1% required local add-on. Beyond that, many cities and counties levy an extra regional tax for transportation. Northern Virginia (Fairfax, Arlington, Alexandria, etc.) and Hampton Roads cities charge an additional 0.7%, for a total of 7% in those areas.
Are groceries taxed in Virginia?
Grocery items sold for home consumption — such as produce, bread, dairy, and packaged foods — are taxed at a reduced rate of just 1% in Virginia (the mandatory local portion only). The state eliminated its share of the grocery tax on January 1, 2023. Prepared foods, alcohol, and soft drinks are still taxed at the full combined rate.
What is the sales tax in Fairfax County or Northern Virginia?
Localities in Northern Virginia — including Fairfax County, Arlington, Alexandria, and others — have a combined sales tax rate of 7%. This includes the 5.3% base state rate plus an additional 1.7% regional transportation tax.
Are online purchases subject to Virginia sales tax?
Yes. Since the U.S. Supreme Court's 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling, out-of-state sellers with significant sales into Virginia must collect Virginia sales tax. The rate that applies is the rate for the buyer's Virginia delivery address, so the same 5.3%–7% range applies to online orders as to in-store purchases.