Maryland Sales Tax Calculator
Maryland 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 Maryland 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 Maryland statewide base rate, then enter any purchase amount to see the tax and total immediately. Rates and jurisdictions are sourced from Comptroller of Maryland and reflect current Maryland law. Sales tax in Maryland 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.
Maryland'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 Maryland
Maryland charges a statewide base sales tax of 6%. Single statewide rate of 6% with no county or city sales taxes, plus a special statewide 9% rate on alcoholic beverages. There are no local sales taxes, so the rate is the same across Maryland. 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 Maryland
| Groceries | Exempt |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Exempt |
| Clothing | Taxable |
Food sold by a grocery or market business for off-premises consumption is exempt; food prepared for immediate consumption is taxable, and alcoholic beverages are taxed at 9%.
Source: Comptroller of Maryland.
Maryland sales tax holidays
- Shop Maryland Energy Weekend (14 to 16 February 2026): Qualifying ENERGY STAR appliances and products, including air conditioners, washers, dryers, furnaces, heat pumps, refrigerators, dehumidifiers, thermostats and qualifying light bulbs. (source)
- Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week (9 to 15 August 2026): Qualifying clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item; accessories are excluded. The first $40 of a backpack is also exempt. (source)
Maryland sales tax: frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Maryland?
Maryland's statewide base rate is 6%. The rate is 6% everywhere in Maryland; there are no county or city sales taxes.
Are groceries taxed in Maryland?
Food sold by a grocery or market business for off-premises consumption is exempt; food prepared for immediate consumption is taxable, and alcoholic beverages are taxed at 9%.
Does Maryland have a sales tax holiday?
Yes. Maryland runs 2 sales tax holidays: Shop Maryland Energy Weekend (14 to 16 February 2026); Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week (9 to 15 August 2026).
How do I remove sales tax from a total in Maryland?
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.
Does any Maryland county add a local sales tax?
No. Maryland levies a single statewide sales and use tax of 6% with no local sales taxes, so the rate is the same in every county and city. Alcoholic beverages are taxed at a higher 9% rate.
When are Maryland's sales tax holidays in 2026?
Shop Maryland Energy Weekend runs 14 to 16 February 2026 for qualifying ENERGY STAR products, and Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs 9 to 15 August 2026 for clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less.
Official sources
- State base rate (6%): Comptroller of Maryland, 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.