Connecticut Sales Tax Calculator
Figure basis: Official Connecticut Department of Revenue ServicesConnecticut sales tax applies to most retail sales of tangible goods and some services. This calculator shows the combined state and local sales tax rate for any location in Connecticut and lets you work out the tax on a given purchase price or reverse-calculate the pre-tax amount from a total. Select your county or city to load the exact local rate on top of the Connecticut statewide base rate, then enter any purchase amount to see the tax and total immediately. Rates and jurisdictions are sourced from Connecticut Department of Revenue Services and reflect current Connecticut law. Sales tax in Connecticut applies at the point of sale for most tangible personal property; groceries, prescription drugs, and other categories may be exempt or taxed at a reduced rate depending on state law. Use the calculator to compare totals across different jurisdictions, or to verify a receipt. The combined rate shown is the rate applicable at a specific location and accounts for any special district taxes layered on top of the county or municipal rate.
Connecticut's state sales tax base rate is 6.35%. There are no local sales taxes, so this is the rate statewide.
How sales tax works in Connecticut
Connecticut charges a statewide base sales tax of 6.35%. Single statewide rate of 6.35% with no county or city sales taxes, plus special statewide rates including 7.35% on meals and 7.75% on certain luxury items. There are no local sales taxes, so the rate is the same across Connecticut. Your result updates the page link, so you can copy a permalink to any calculation.
sales tax = pre-tax price x (state rate + local rate) / 100
total = pre-tax price + sales tax
What is taxed in Connecticut
| Groceries | Exempt |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Exempt |
| Clothing | Taxable |
Food products for human consumption are exempt; taxable exceptions include soft drinks, candy and meals (taxed at 7.35%).
Connecticut sales tax holidays
- Sales Tax Free Week (16 to 22 August 2026): Most clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item; excludes athletic and protective gear and accessories. (source)
Editor's insight: one flat rate, plus meal and luxury surcharges
Connecticut keeps the arithmetic simple in one respect: there are no county or city sales taxes anywhere in the state. The 6.35% rate you see is the rate you pay in Hartford, Stamford, New Haven, and every small town alike, which makes Connecticut one of the easiest states to budget for at the general rate. That simplicity is exactly why the exceptions catch people out.
The state runs several special rates that sit above the 6.35% base. Prepared meals and many beverages are taxed at 7.35%, so a restaurant or deli receipt legitimately shows a full percentage point more than the shelf rate, and buyers often assume an error. Certain luxury goods carry a 7.75% rate: jewelry priced over $5,000, and clothing, footwear, or accessories over $1,000 per item. These are not add-ons to the 6.35%; they are the entire rate on those items.
Timing matters too. Connecticut runs an annual Sales Tax Free Week, scheduled for August 16 to 22, 2026, during which most clothing and footwear under $100 per item is exempt, though athletic and protective gear is excluded. Shoppers planning back-to-school purchases can save the full 6.35% by waiting for that window, so the flat rate is not quite as fixed as it first appears.
Connecticut sales tax: frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Connecticut?
Connecticut's statewide base rate is 6.35%. The rate is 6.35% everywhere in Connecticut; there are no county or city sales taxes.
Are groceries taxed in Connecticut?
Food products for human consumption are exempt; taxable exceptions include soft drinks, candy and meals (taxed at 7.35%).
Does Connecticut have a sales tax holiday?
Yes. Connecticut runs 1 sales tax holiday: Sales Tax Free Week (16 to 22 August 2026).
How do I remove sales tax from a total in Connecticut?
Switch the calculator to Remove tax and enter the tax-inclusive total. It divides by 1 plus the combined rate to find the pre-tax price, then shows the tax.
Is the Connecticut sales tax rate the same in every town?
Yes. Connecticut levies a single statewide sales and use tax of 6.35% and has no local (county or municipal) sales taxes, so the general rate is identical everywhere in the state.
Why is my restaurant bill taxed at more than 6.35%?
Meals and certain beverages are taxed at a special statewide rate of 7.35% rather than the general 6.35% rate. Luxury items such as jewelry over $5,000 and clothing or accessories over $1,000 are taxed at 7.75%.
Official sources
- State base rate (6.35%): Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, as at Jun 11, 2026.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 11 June 2026. See our methodology. General information, not financial or tax advice.