Pennsylvania Sales Tax Calculator
Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania statewide base rate, then enter any purchase amount to see the tax and total immediately. Rates and jurisdictions are sourced from Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and reflect current Pennsylvania law. Sales tax in Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania's state sales tax base rate is 6%. In Philadelphia the combined rate is 8%, so $100 of goods has $8.00 in sales tax, for a total of $108.00. Pick your city below for the exact combined rate.
How sales tax works in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania charges a statewide base sales tax of 6%. A 6% state sales tax applies statewide; Allegheny County adds 1% (7% total) and Philadelphia adds 2% (8% total), the only two local add-ons in the state. Choose your city 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 Philadelphia, at the 8% combined rate (6% state + 2% local):
- Combined rate = 6% + 2% = 8%.
- Sales tax = 250 x 0.0800 = $20.00.
- Total = 250 + 20.00 = $270.00.
What is taxed in Pennsylvania
| Groceries | Exempt |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Exempt |
| Clothing | Exempt |
Food that is not ready to eat (groceries), along with candy and gum, is exempt; prepared and ready-to-eat food is taxable.
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue.
Pennsylvania sales tax rates by city
Combined rates (6% state plus local), sourced from the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue and verified Jun 11, 2026. For an exact rate by address use the official Pennsylvania Department of Revenue rate lookup; local rates can vary within a city and change over time.
| City | County | Combined rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 8% | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | |
| Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) | 7% | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue | |
| Rest of Pennsylvania | 6% | Pennsylvania Department of Revenue |
Pennsylvania sales tax: frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's statewide base rate is 6%. Pennsylvania has only two local add-ons: Allegheny County (including Pittsburgh) adds 1% for a 7% total, and Philadelphia adds 2% for an 8% total. The rest of the state is 6%.
How much is sales tax on $100 in Philadelphia?
At Philadelphia's combined rate of 8%, sales tax on $100 is $8.00, for a total of $108.00. Enter your own amount above for an exact figure.
Are groceries taxed in Pennsylvania?
Food that is not ready to eat (groceries), along with candy and gum, is exempt; prepared and ready-to-eat food is taxable.
How do I remove sales tax from a total in Pennsylvania?
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.
Which parts of Pennsylvania have a higher sales tax?
Only two. Philadelphia charges 8% (the 6% state rate plus a 2% city tax) and Allegheny County, including Pittsburgh, charges 7% (6% plus 1%). Everywhere else in Pennsylvania the rate is 6%.
Is clothing taxed in Pennsylvania?
No. Most clothing is exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax, along with non-ready-to-eat groceries, candy, gum, textbooks and prescription drugs.
Official sources
- State base rate (6%): Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, as at Jun 11, 2026.
- Local combined rates: Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, as at Jun 11, 2026.
- Address-level lookup: Pennsylvania 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.