This calculator starts with Massachusetts’s combined rate of 6.25% (6.25% state + 0% average local).
Massachusetts sales tax rates in 2026
At 6.25%, Massachusetts’s combined average rate ranks 35 of the 50 states and D.C. (1 = highest) — 0.75 percentage points below the middle value of all 51 jurisdictions (7%). Its state rate of 6.25% ranks 13 of 51.
| Measure | Rate | Rank (1 = highest) |
|---|---|---|
| State sales tax rate | 6.25% | 13 of 51 |
| Average local rate (population-weighted) | 0% | — |
| Combined state + average local rate | 6.25% | 35 of 51 |
| Highest local rate | 0% | — |
| Middle of all 51 (combined) | 7% | 26 of 51 |
No general local sales taxes (some cities and towns levy local meals and room-occupancy taxes).
Sales tax on common purchases in Massachusetts
Sales tax at 6.25%, rounded to the cent:
| Purchase | Sales tax (6.25%) | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $100 purchase | $6.25 | $106.25 |
| $500 purchase | $31.25 | $531.25 |
| $1,000 purchase | $62.50 | $1,062.50 |
| $25,000 car | $1,562.50 | $26,562.50 |
The $25,000 car line uses the general rate. Many states tax vehicles under separate rules — a different rate, a cap, or tax on the price after a trade-in — so treat it as an estimate.
Groceries and items taxed differently
Groceries: Exempt.
Other items, such as clothing, prescription drugs and services, can also be exempt or taxed at a different rate depending on the state. Massachusetts’s tax agency publishes the rules for specific items.
Massachusetts vs. neighboring states
1 of 5 neighbors has a lower average combined rate than Massachusetts and 4 have a higher one; on a $1,000 purchase the tax ranges from $0.00 in New Hampshire to $85.40 in New York, versus $62.50 in Massachusetts.
| State | State rate | Avg. local | Combined | Tax on $1,000 | vs. Massachusetts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 0% | 0% | 0% | $0.00 | −$62.50 |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 0% | 6.25% | $62.50 | — |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 0% | 6.35% | $63.50 | +$1.00 |
| Vermont | 6% | 0.43% | 6.43% | $64.30 | +$1.80 |
| Rhode Island | 7% | 0% | 7% | $70.00 | +$7.50 |
| New York | 4% | 4.54% | 8.54% | $85.40 | +$22.90 |
Shopping across a state line doesn’t always save money: when a seller doesn’t collect your state’s tax, you generally owe use tax at your home rate. See sales tax rates for every state.
How to calculate Massachusetts sales tax
- Add tax: multiply the price by 1.0625. $100.00 × 1.0625 = $106.25.
- Remove tax: divide the total by 1.0625. $1,000.00 ÷ 1.0625 = $941.18, so the tax was $58.82.
- Tax alone: multiply the price by 0.0625. On $500.00: $31.25.
If you itemize deductions, you can deduct either your state and local income taxes or your general sales taxes on your federal return, within the SALT cap. The income tax calculator shows whether itemizing beats the standard deduction.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate in Massachusetts in 2026?
Massachusetts’s state rate is 6.25% and there are no general local sales taxes as of July 1, 2026 (Tax Foundation). That ranks 35 of 51 (1 = highest). With no local add-ons, the general rate is the same across the state. At the 6.25% state rate, a $100.00 taxable purchase costs $106.25.
How much is sales tax on $1,000 in Massachusetts?
About $62.50 at the 6.25% state rate, for a total of $1,062.50. Because Massachusetts has no general local sales taxes, that amount is the same everywhere in the state for items taxed at the general rate. Multiply the price by 0.0625 to get the tax, or by 1.0625 to get the total.
How do I remove Massachusetts sales tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1.0625 (1 plus the 6.25% combined rate). A $1,000 receipt total works out to $941.18 before tax and $58.82 of tax. Subtracting 6.25% of the total would give $937.50, which understates the price because the tax was charged on the smaller pre-tax amount.
How much is sales tax on a $25,000 car in Massachusetts?
At the 6.25% general combined rate, $1,562.50, for a total of $26,562.50. Vehicles are often taxed under separate motor vehicle tax rules, at a different rate or on a price reduced by a trade-in, so confirm the amount with Massachusetts’s motor vehicle or tax agency before you budget for it.
Are groceries taxed in Massachusetts?
No. Groceries (food for home consumption) are exempt from sales tax in Massachusetts. Prepared food, such as restaurant meals and hot deli items, is generally taxable, and items like candy, soft drinks and alcohol may be treated differently from groceries, so check with Massachusetts’s tax agency for a specific product.
Is sales tax higher in Massachusetts than in neighboring states?
1 of 5 neighbors has a lower average combined rate than Massachusetts and 4 have a higher one; on a $1,000 purchase the tax ranges from $0.00 in New Hampshire to $85.40 in New York, versus $62.50 in Massachusetts. These comparisons use each state’s combined state and average local rate. Crossing a border to save tax doesn’t always work: if a seller doesn’t collect your home state’s tax, you generally owe use tax at home.