District of Columbia Sales Tax Calculator
District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia statewide base rate, then enter any purchase amount to see the tax and total immediately. Rates and jurisdictions are sourced from DC Office of Tax and Revenue and reflect current District of Columbia law. Sales tax in District of Columbia 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.
District of Columbia's state sales tax base rate is 6%. There are no local sales taxes, so this is the rate statewide.
How sales tax works in District of Columbia
District of Columbia charges a statewide base sales tax of 6%. The District is a single taxing jurisdiction with a 6% general sales tax through 30 September 2026, rising to 7% for periods beginning on and after 1 October 2026; there are no separate local sales taxes. There are no local sales taxes, so the rate is the same across District of Columbia. 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 District of Columbia
| Groceries | Exempt |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Exempt |
| Clothing | Taxable |
Food and drink sold for home preparation or consumption in grocery form is exempt; food and drink sold for immediate consumption is taxable.
Source: DC Office of Tax and Revenue.
District of Columbia sales tax: frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's statewide base rate is 6%. The District of Columbia is a single jurisdiction with no separate local sales taxes; its general rate is 6% through 30 September 2026 and 7% from 1 October 2026.
Are groceries taxed in District of Columbia?
Food and drink sold for home preparation or consumption in grocery form is exempt; food and drink sold for immediate consumption is taxable.
How do I remove sales tax from a total in District of Columbia?
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 DC sales tax rate changing?
Yes. The general sales tax rate stays at 6% through 30 September 2026 and increases to 7% for periods beginning on and after 1 October 2026.
Are prescription drugs and groceries taxed in DC?
No. Prescription and non-prescription drugs are exempt, and groceries sold for home consumption are exempt. Prepared food, alcohol and restaurant meals are taxed at higher special rates.
Official sources
- State base rate (6%): DC Office of Tax and Revenue, 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.