Rhode Island Sales Tax Calculator
Figure basis: Official Rhode Island Division of TaxationRhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island statewide base rate, then enter any purchase amount to see the tax and total immediately. Rates and jurisdictions are sourced from Rhode Island Division of Taxation and reflect current Rhode Island law. Sales tax in Rhode Island 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.
Rhode Island's state sales tax base rate is 7%. There are no local sales taxes, so this is the rate statewide.
How sales tax works in Rhode Island
Rhode Island charges a statewide base sales tax of 7%. A single 7% state sales tax applies statewide with no county or city sales taxes added on top. There are no local sales taxes, so the rate is the same across Rhode Island. 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 Rhode Island
| Groceries | Exempt |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Exempt |
| Clothing | Reduced / partial |
Food and food ingredients for home consumption are exempt; prepared food, restaurant meals and similar items remain taxable.
Clothing and footwear are exempt up to $250 per item; only the portion of an item's price above $250 is taxed at 7%.
Source: Rhode Island Division of Taxation.
One flat rate, and a clothing rule worth knowing
Rhode Island keeps sales tax refreshingly simple in one respect: a single 7% rate applies across the entire state, with no county or city tax layered on top. Whether you buy in Providence, Newport or a small inland town, the rate is 7%, which makes reconciling a receipt far easier than in states that run hundreds of local jurisdictions.
The wrinkle is clothing. Rhode Island exempts apparel and footwear, but only up to $250 per item. Buy a coat priced at $400 and you are not fully exempt: the first $250 is tax-free and the remaining $150 is taxed at 7%. The threshold is per item, not per receipt, so several pieces under $250 can all clear while one expensive item is partially caught. Groceries for home consumption and prescription drugs are exempt outright, so most essentials stay untaxed year-round.
At 7%, Rhode Island carries one of the highest state-level rates in the country. But because nothing local is added, its all-in rate can still sit below neighbors such as Connecticut or Massachusetts once their local pieces are counted. There is no general sales tax holiday here, so the clothing threshold and the grocery exemption do the steady work of keeping everyday spending lightly taxed rather than a once-a-year suspension.
Rhode Island sales tax: frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's statewide base rate is 7%. Rhode Island has no local sales taxes; the 7% state rate is the only sales tax statewide.
Are groceries taxed in Rhode Island?
Food and food ingredients for home consumption are exempt; prepared food, restaurant meals and similar items remain taxable.
How do I remove sales tax from a total in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island add any local sales tax?
No. Rhode Island charges a flat 7% state sales tax and has no county or city sales taxes, so the rate is 7% throughout the state.
Is clothing taxed in Rhode Island?
Clothing and footwear are exempt up to $250 per item. Only the portion of an item's price above $250 is taxed at 7%.
Official sources
- State base rate (7%): Rhode Island Division of Taxation, 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.