Connecticut Sales Tax Calculator 2026 — 6.35% Rate
Calculate Connecticut sales tax on any purchase instantly. The state sales tax rate is 6.35%, and the average combined rate (state + local) is 6.35%. Enter your purchase amount to see state tax, local tax, and the total amount due — all calculated privately in your browser.
This Connecticut sales tax calculator is a free tool that adds Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax to any purchase amount and shows the tax and the total. Connecticut has no county or city sales tax, so 6.35% is the rate at every checkout in the state — only special categories such as meals, hotels and luxury goods differ.
Connecticut Sales Tax Rate: State vs Combined
The Connecticut state sales tax rate is 6.35%, and unlike most states that is also the combined rate. Connecticut does not permit counties, cities or towns to levy their own sales tax, so there is no local add-on to look up: a $100 purchase costs $106.35 in Hartford, New Haven, Stamford or anywhere else in the state. Only four other states share this no-local-tax structure — Indiana, Kentucky, Maine and Massachusetts.
What does vary is the category rate rather than the location: restaurant meals and prepared food are taxed at 7.35%, hotel stays at 15%, and designated luxury purchases at 7.75%. Those are set by state law and apply statewide too.
What Is and Isn't Taxed in Connecticut
Exempt: unprepared groceries, prescription drugs, most non-prescription medicines, and residential utility service. Taxable: clothing and footwear — a common misconception, since Connecticut removed its general clothing exemption years ago, leaving apparel taxed at the standard 6.35% (and 7.75% above $1,000 per item). Prepared food and takeaway meals are taxable at the higher 7.35% meals rate even when bought in a supermarket, which catches out anyone assuming the grocery exemption covers the hot-food counter.
Connecticut Sales Tax Holidays
Connecticut runs one annual Sales Tax Free Week, beginning the third Sunday in August — 16 to 22 August in 2026. Clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item are exempt from the 6.35% tax. Two rules decide whether a purchase qualifies: the $100 limit is per item, not per receipt, and an item priced at $100 or more pays full tax on the entire price rather than on the excess. Online orders count if placed and paid for during the week, even if they ship later. Athletic and protective gear, jewellery and handbags are excluded.
How to Calculate Connecticut Sales Tax
To calculate Connecticut sales tax: multiply the purchase price by the applicable rate. For the state rate only: price × 6.35% = tax. Because there is no local tax, that state rate is the final rate for ordinary goods. Example: a $200 purchase at 6.35% = $12.70 in tax = $212.70 total. For a restaurant bill use 7.35% ($14.70 on $200), and for a luxury item use 7.75% ($15.50).
Tips for Accurate Sales Tax Calculations
You do not need to look up a local rate in Connecticut — 6.35% applies statewide. What you do need to check is the category: a receipt showing 7.35% on a meal or 7.75% on a $1,200 coat is correct, not an overcharge. Large purchases such as vehicles are where category rates bite hardest, since anything over $50,000 moves to 7.75%. Keep receipts that show the tax rate used; this helps verify correct tax was charged and supports any refund claims for exempt purchases. If you are making a business purchase, check whether your state offers a sales tax exemption certificate to avoid paying tax on resale items.
Connecticut Special Sales Tax Rates (Luxury, Meals, Hotels)
Connecticut applies different rates to specific categories that this calculator's "state" rate (6.35%) does NOT cover automatically. Per the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (CT DRS): a 7.75% rate applies to most motor vehicles over $50,000, jewelry over $5,000, and clothing/footwear over $1,000; a 7.35% rate applies to meals and certain beverages at restaurants/eating establishments; a 15% rate applies to short-term hotel/lodging stays under 30 days; a 9.35% rate applies to short-term car rentals. Connecticut is also one of the only states with NO local sales tax — the state rate is the combined rate everywhere in CT. Updated 2026-06-24.
Connecticut Sales Tax Calculator: Worked Examples Across Categories
This CT sales tax calculator handles the flat 6.35% state rate (same everywhere — no local add-on). Special-category rates from CT DRS Sales Tax Rates override the base. Standard purchase: $200 laptop × 6.35% = $12.70 → $212.70 total. Luxury vehicle: $60,000 car (over $50k threshold) × 7.75% = $4,650 → $64,650. Restaurant meal: $80 dinner × 7.35% (meals rate) = $5.88 → $85.88. Hotel: $250/night for 2 nights × 15% lodging tax = $75 → $575. Car rental: $120/day × 3 days × 9.35% = $33.66 → $393.66. Luxury jewelry: $7,500 ring (over $5k) × 7.75% = $581.25 → $8,081.25. Sales Tax Free Week (3rd week of August) zeros tax on clothing/footwear under $100 per item. Last updated: 2026-06-24.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Connecticut?
The Connecticut state sales tax rate is 6.35%. Connecticut is one of the few US states with NO local sales tax — the state rate is the combined rate everywhere in CT. (Source: Connecticut Department of Revenue Services, 2026.)
Does Connecticut tax groceries?
Connecticut exempts most unprepared grocery items from state sales tax, which helps reduce the cost of essential food purchases.
Is clothing taxed in Connecticut?
Clothing and footwear under $1,000 per item are taxed at the standard 6.35% rate. A higher 7.75% luxury rate applies to clothing or footwear priced over $1,000 per item.
What is the combined sales tax rate in Connecticut?
The combined sales tax rate in Connecticut is 6.35% — the state does not allow local jurisdictions (counties or cities) to add their own sales tax, so the state rate IS the combined rate.
How do I calculate sales tax in Connecticut?
Multiply the purchase price by 0.0635. Example: $50 × 0.0635 = $3.18 tax, total $53.18. Note: meals at restaurants use 7.35%, hotel stays use 15%, and luxury items (cars >$50k, jewelry >$5k, clothing >$1k) use 7.75%.
Is this Connecticut sales tax calculator free?
Yes — 100% free, no sign-up, no ads inside the calculator, no data leaves your browser. Use it for as many purchases as you want, share the link with friends, and bookmark for future receipts.
Does Connecticut have local or county sales tax?
No. Connecticut is one of only five US states (with Indiana, Kentucky, Maine, and Massachusetts) that does NOT allow local jurisdictions to add their own sales tax on top of the state rate. The Connecticut state rate of 6.35% is the total rate at every checkout in the state, regardless of city or county.
How much is sales tax on a $1,000 purchase in Connecticut?
$63.50 at the standard 6.35% rate ($1,063.50 total). But if the item triggers a luxury threshold (clothing or footwear over $1,000 per item, jewelry over $5,000, or a motor vehicle over $50,000), the rate jumps to 7.75% = $77.50 ($1,077.50 total). Restaurant meals run 7.35% ($73.50).
When is the Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week 2026?
Per CT DRS, the annual Sales Tax Free Week runs Sunday August 16 to Saturday August 22, 2026. Clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item are exempt from the 6.35% sales tax. Items priced $100 or more pay full tax on the entire price (not just the amount over $100). Online orders qualify if placed during the week and paid in full.
Is clothing taxable in Connecticut outside Sales Tax Free Week?
Yes. Connecticut removed its general clothing exemption years ago, so apparel and footwear are taxed at the standard 6.35%, rising to 7.75% for any single item over $1,000. The only broad relief is Sales Tax Free Week each August for items under $100.
Why does my Connecticut receipt show 7.35% instead of 6.35%?
That is the meals and beverage rate, which applies to restaurant food, takeaway and prepared food - including hot food bought at a supermarket. It is a category rate set by state law, not a local tax, so it applies the same way everywhere in Connecticut.