Wisconsin Sales Tax Calculator
Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin statewide base rate, then enter any purchase amount to see the tax and total immediately. Rates and jurisdictions are sourced from Wisconsin Department of Revenue and reflect current Wisconsin law. Sales tax in Wisconsin 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.
Wisconsin's state sales tax base rate is 5%. In Milwaukee (Milwaukee) the combined rate is 7.9%, so $100 of goods has $7.90 in sales tax, for a total of $107.90. Pick your county below for the exact combined rate.
How sales tax works in Wisconsin
Wisconsin charges a statewide base sales tax of 5%. A 5% state rate plus a 0.5% county tax in most counties, plus extra local taxes in the City and County of Milwaukee, for combined rates of 5% to 7.9%. 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 Milwaukee (Milwaukee), at the 7.9% combined rate (5% state + 2.9% local):
- Combined rate = 5% + 2.9% = 7.9%.
- Sales tax = 250 x 0.0790 = $19.75.
- Total = 250 + 19.75 = $269.75.
What is taxed in Wisconsin
| Groceries | Exempt |
|---|---|
| Prescription drugs | Exempt |
| Clothing | Taxable |
Wisconsin exempts food and food ingredients sold for off-premises consumption; candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements and prepared food remain taxable.
Source: Wisconsin Department of Revenue.
Wisconsin sales tax rates by county
Combined rates (5% state plus local), sourced from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue and verified Jun 11, 2026. For an exact rate by address use the official Wisconsin Department of Revenue rate lookup; local rates can vary within a county and change over time.
Full official dataset: Wisconsin Department of Revenue rate file.
Wisconsin sales tax: frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin's statewide base rate is 5%. Combined rates run from 5% to 7.9% across all 72 counties; 70 counties add a 0.5% county tax, while the City and County of Milwaukee carry additional local taxes.
How much is sales tax on $100 in Milwaukee (Milwaukee)?
At Milwaukee (Milwaukee)'s combined rate of 7.9%, sales tax on $100 is $7.90, for a total of $107.90. Enter your own amount above for an exact figure.
Are groceries taxed in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin exempts food and food ingredients sold for off-premises consumption; candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements and prepared food remain taxable.
How do I remove sales tax from a total in Wisconsin?
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 Milwaukee?
In the City of Milwaukee the combined sales and use tax rate is 7.9%: the 5% Wisconsin state rate, the 0.9% Milwaukee County tax, and the 2% City of Milwaukee tax, both of which took effect on 1 January 2024.
Which Wisconsin counties have no county sales tax?
Two counties, Waukesha and Winnebago, have not adopted the 0.5% county sales and use tax, so purchases there are taxed at the 5% state rate only. The other 70 counties add the 0.5% county tax.
Are groceries taxed in Wisconsin?
No. Wisconsin exempts food and food ingredients sold for off-premises consumption. Candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements and prepared food are taxable, as are most restaurant meals.
How much is the county sales tax in Wisconsin?
Seventy of Wisconsin's 72 counties impose a 0.5% county sales and use tax on top of the 5% state rate, for a 5.5% combined rate. Milwaukee County imposes a 0.9% county tax instead.
What is the highest sales tax rate in Wisconsin?
The highest combined rate is 7.9% in the City of Milwaukee, made up of the 5% state rate, 0.9% Milwaukee County tax and 2% City of Milwaukee tax.
Official sources
- State base rate (5%): Wisconsin Department of Revenue, as at Jun 11, 2026.
- Local combined rates: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, as at Jun 11, 2026.
- Address-level lookup: Wisconsin 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.