Wisconsin Sales Tax Calculator 2026 — 5% Rate
Calculate Wisconsin sales tax on any purchase instantly. The state sales tax rate is 5%, and the statewide average combined rate (state + local) is 5.72% (Tax Foundation, July 2026). Enter your purchase amount — and your exact local rate if you know it — to see state tax, local tax, and the total amount due, all calculated privately in your browser.
Wisconsin Sales Tax Rate: State vs Combined
The Wisconsin state sales tax rate is 5%. Most shoppers pay more than that, because most counties add a 0.5% county tax, which makes 5.5%. Milwaukee County's rate is 0.9% and the City of Milwaukee adds a further 2% — the only city sales tax in the state — so the combined rate in the city is 7.9% (Wisconsin Department of Revenue). The statewide average combined rate is 5.72% — a population-weighted average published by the Tax Foundation for rates as of July 1, 2026 — and the highest local rate in that table adds 2.9% to the state rate. A $100 purchase costs $105.00 at the state rate alone and $105.72 at the statewide average.
What Is and Isn't Taxed in Wisconsin
Wisconsin exempts food and food ingredients from sales tax, except candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements and prepared food. Clothing is taxed like other goods — Wisconsin has no general clothing exemption — at the 5% state rate plus any county and city rate. Prescription drugs are exempt from Wisconsin sales tax.
How to Calculate Wisconsin Sales Tax
To calculate Wisconsin sales tax, multiply the purchase price by the rate that applies where you buy. For the state rate only: price × 5% = tax. For a real receipt, enter your exact combined rate in the optional field above — it is printed on local receipts and published by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue; the 5.72% statewide average is only an estimate. Example: a $200 purchase at the 5.72% average = $11.44 in tax = $211.44 total.
Tips for Accurate Sales Tax Calculations
Always confirm the exact local rate for your specific city or county — the statewide average (5.72%, Tax Foundation, July 2026) is a population-weighted mean and may differ from your actual checkout rate. Large purchases like appliances or electronics are where the difference between the 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.
Last updated: October 2026. Sources: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (rates as of July 1, 2026); Wisconsin Department of Revenue; Wisconsin DOR — Milwaukee Sales and Use Taxes, Fact Sheet 2414.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax rate in Wisconsin?
The Wisconsin state sales tax rate is 5%. Most counties add 0.5%, making 5.5%; in the City of Milwaukee the total is 7.9% (5% state + 0.9% Milwaukee County + 2% city). The statewide average combined rate is 5.72% (Tax Foundation, July 2026).
Does Wisconsin tax groceries?
No. Sales of food and food ingredients are exempt from Wisconsin sales and use tax, except candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements and prepared food, which are taxed.
Is clothing taxed in Wisconsin?
Yes. Clothing is taxable tangible personal property in Wisconsin: it is taxed at the 5% state rate plus any county and city rate.
What is the combined sales tax rate in Wisconsin?
The statewide average combined (state + local) sales tax rate in Wisconsin is 5.72%, according to the Tax Foundation's table of rates as of July 1, 2026. The state portion is 5%; the rest is county and municipal tax that varies by location, up to 2.9% at the highest.
How do I calculate sales tax in Wisconsin?
Multiply the purchase price by the rate. For state tax only: price × 0.0500. For the statewide average: price × 0.0572. Example: $50 × 0.0572 = $2.86 tax, total $52.86.