Iowa Sales Tax Calculator
Iowa 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 Iowa 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 Iowa statewide base rate, then enter any purchase amount to see the tax and total immediately. Rates and jurisdictions are sourced from Iowa Department of Revenue and reflect current Iowa law. Sales tax in Iowa 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.
Iowa's state sales tax base rate is 6%. In Polk (Des Moines) the combined rate is 7%, so $100 of goods has $7.00 in sales tax, for a total of $107.00. Pick your county below for the exact combined rate.
How sales tax works in Iowa
Iowa charges a statewide base sales tax of 6%. Iowa charges a 6% state sales tax plus a 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) imposed in nearly every jurisdiction, for a combined 7% rate almost statewide. Choose your county above to load its sourced combined rate, or switch to Remove tax to work back from a tax-inclusive total. 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
Worked example
A $250.00 purchase in Polk (Des Moines), at the 7% combined rate (6% state + 1% local):
- Combined rate = 6% + 1% = 7%.
- Sales tax = 250 x 0.0700 = $17.50.
- Total = 250 + 17.50 = $267.50.
What is taxed in Iowa
| Groceries | Exempt |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Exempt |
| Clothing | Taxable |
Iowa exempts food and food ingredients for home consumption; candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements, alcoholic beverages and prepared food remain taxable.
Source: Iowa Department of Revenue.
Iowa sales tax holidays
- Iowa Sales Tax Holiday (August 7-8, 2026 (first Friday and Saturday of August)): Select clothing and footwear under $100 per item (source)
Iowa sales tax rates by county
Combined rates (6% state plus local), sourced from the Iowa Department of Revenue and verified Jun 11, 2026. For an exact rate by address use the official Iowa Department of Revenue rate lookup; local rates can vary within a county and change over time.
Full official dataset: Iowa Department of Revenue rate file.
Iowa sales tax: frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Iowa?
Iowa's statewide base rate is 6%. Nearly all of Iowa is at 7%; the 1% LOST is imposed at the city and unincorporated-area level, and every one of the 99 counties has at least one jurisdiction imposing it.
How much is sales tax on $100 in Polk (Des Moines)?
At Polk (Des Moines)'s combined rate of 7%, sales tax on $100 is $7.00, for a total of $107.00. Enter your own amount above for an exact figure.
Are groceries taxed in Iowa?
Iowa exempts food and food ingredients for home consumption; candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements, alcoholic beverages and prepared food remain taxable.
Does Iowa have a sales tax holiday?
Yes. Iowa runs 1 sales tax holiday: Iowa Sales Tax Holiday (August 7-8, 2026 (first Friday and Saturday of August)).
How do I remove sales tax from a total in Iowa?
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.
What is the sales tax rate in Des Moines?
Des Moines, in Polk County, charges a combined 7% sales tax: the 6% Iowa state rate plus the 1% Local Option Sales Tax (LOST).
Does all of Iowa charge 7%?
Nearly all of Iowa is at 7%. The 1% LOST is imposed at the city and unincorporated-area level rather than strictly countywide, and every one of Iowa's 99 counties now has at least one jurisdiction imposing it, so the combined 6% state plus 1% LOST rate of 7% is almost universal. One recent change: every incorporated city in Johnson County, including Iowa City, has the 1% LOST in effect from July 1, 2026; before that date a few Johnson County jurisdictions, including Iowa City, were still at 6%.
Official sources
- State base rate (6%): Iowa Department of Revenue, as at Jun 11, 2026.
- Local combined rates: Iowa Department of Revenue, as at Jun 11, 2026.
- Address-level lookup: Iowa Department of Revenue rate lookup.
Reviewed by the CalculatorHub team, edited by James Graham, 11 June 2026. See our methodology. General information, not financial or tax advice.