Texas Sales Tax Calculator 2026 — 6.25% Rate

Calculate Texas sales tax on any purchase instantly. The state sales tax rate is 6.25%, and the average combined rate (state + local) is 8.2%. Enter your purchase amount to see state tax, local tax, and the total amount due — all calculated privately in your browser.

Ad Space

Texas Sales Tax Rate: State vs Combined

The Texas state sales tax rate is 6.25%. However, most shoppers pay more than the state rate because counties and cities add their own local taxes on top. The average combined rate across all jurisdictions in Texas is 8.2%, according to Tax Foundation 2026 data. This means a $100 purchase could cost between $106.25 (state only) and more in high-tax localities.

What Is and Isn't Taxed in Texas

Texas exempts most unprepared grocery items from state sales tax, which helps reduce the cost of essential food purchases. Texas exempts most clothing items from state sales tax, making it a tax-friendly state for apparel purchases. Prescription drugs are also exempt from sales tax in Texas.

Texas Sales Tax Holidays

Texas holds a Sales Tax Holiday in August for clothing/footwear under $100 and one for emergency supplies. During a sales tax holiday, qualifying items are sold without collecting state sales tax — and sometimes local sales tax too. Check the Texas Department of Revenue website for exact dates, eligible items, and price limits each year.

How to Calculate Texas Sales Tax

To calculate Texas sales tax: multiply the purchase price by the applicable rate. For the state rate only: price × 6.25% = tax. For the combined rate: use 8.2% for an average estimate, or enter the exact local rate from your receipt or the Texas Department of Revenue website. Example: a $200 purchase at the 8.2% combined rate = $16.40 in tax = $216.40 total.

Tips for Accurate Sales Tax Calculations

Always confirm the exact local rate for your specific city or county — the combined average (8.2%) is a statewide mean and may differ from your actual checkout rate. Large purchases like vehicles, appliances, or electronics are where the difference between state-only and combined rates matters most. 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.

Texas Use Tax: When You Owe Tax on Out-of-State Purchases

This Texas sales tax calculator computes tax on in-state purchases, but Texas also charges a 6.25% use tax on items bought tax-free out of state and brought into Texas — including online orders from retailers that did not collect Texas tax. Per Texas Comptroller sales and use tax guidance, common triggers include vehicles bought in another state, large electronics shipped to Texas, and business equipment purchased from non-Texas vendors. Individuals report use tax on Form 01-156 (annual filing); businesses report it on their sales tax return. The rate matches the sales tax rate that would have applied — 6.25% state plus your local rate.

Combined Texas Sales Tax Rate by Major City (2026)

The 8.2% state-average rate hides large gaps between metro and rural Texas. Most major cities sit at or near the 8.25% statutory cap (6.25% state + 2.0% local maximum). Per the Texas Comptroller city sales-tax rate lookup (2026):

Find your exact rate by ZIP or address on the Comptroller's lookup — sub-county boundaries (PIDs, SPDs, ESDs) can change the rate within a single city. Updated 2026-07-03.

Texas Sales Tax Holidays: Full 2026 Calendar

Texas runs THREE sales-tax holidays per year — one of the most generous holiday calendars in the US. All three are legislated per Texas Comptroller Publication 98-490 (2026) and apply to state 6.25% AND local combined rate (typically 2%, so full 8.25% is waived). Dates for 2026: Emergency Preparation Supplies: April 25–27, 2026 (portable generators under $3,000, batteries and flashlights under $75, hurricane shutters under $75) — critical for Gulf Coast homeowners. Energy Star / Water-Saving Products: May 23–25, 2026 (Energy Star air conditioners under $6,000, refrigerators under $2,000, dishwashers, ceiling fans, LEDs, and water-conserving showerheads). Sales Tax Holiday for Clothing/Backpacks/School Supplies: August 8–10, 2026 (clothing and footwear under $100/item, backpacks under $100, school supplies under $100). Combined potential savings on back-to-school shopping alone: $150–$300 for a family of 4. Set calendar reminders — the state does NOT auto-apply the exemption if you shop the day before or after. Updated 2026-07-12.

Texas Sales Tax Nexus for Online Sellers (2026)

Out-of-state online sellers must register and collect Texas sales tax once they cross the economic nexus threshold: $500,000 in Texas gross revenue over the previous 12 months, per the Texas Comptroller Publication 94-108 (2026). There is no separate transaction-count trigger — Texas uses a revenue-only test, unlike many states. Marketplace facilitators (Amazon, Etsy, eBay) collect on behalf of third-party sellers, but Texas-only DTC brands, Shopify stores, and B2B invoicing shops must register directly. After crossing $500K, use the state's Texas Online Sales Tax Permit application; filing frequency is assigned by expected liability (monthly, quarterly, or annually). Late filing triggers a 5% penalty per month up to 25% plus interest.