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Connecticut Sales Tax Calculator

Disclaimer: All rates and figures on this page are estimates for general informational purposes only and are not financial, tax, or legal advice. Sales tax rates change and vary by city, county, and the type of item purchased. Verify current rates with the Connecticut Department of Revenue before relying on these figures, and consult a qualified tax professional for specific guidance.

Calculate sales tax on any purchase in Connecticut. The state sales tax rate is 6.35%, and when combined with the average local rate of 0%, the total average in Connecticut comes to 6.35%. Actual rates vary by city and county.

Connecticut Sales Tax Rates

State Rate
6.35%
Avg Local Rate
0%
Combined Average
6.35%

Quick Reference

Connecticut has one of the highest property tax rates and no local sales taxes.

State income tax: 6.99% top rate

Connecticut Sales Tax Table

Quick reference for common purchase amounts at the 6.35% combined average rate:

Purchase Price Sales Tax Total
$10 $0.64 $10.63
$25 $1.59 $26.59
$50 $3.17 $53.17
$100 $6.35 $106.35
$250 $15.88 $265.88
$500 $31.75 $531.75
$1,000 $63.50 $1063.50
$2,500 $158.75 $2658.75
$5,000 $317.50 $5317.50

How Connecticut Sales Tax Works

Sales tax in Connecticut is collected at the point of sale on most tangible goods and some services. The state portion of 6.35% is uniform statewide, while local jurisdictions may add their own rates, averaging 0% across the state. Certain items like groceries and prescription medications may be exempt or taxed at reduced rates.

When budgeting in Connecticut, remember that sales tax affects your purchasing power. With a median home value of $372,800 and a property tax rate of 1.96%, understanding all taxes helps you make informed financial decisions.

What Is and Is Not Taxed in Connecticut

Unprepared groceries are exempt from Connecticut state sales tax — meals and prepared food are taxed at a higher 7.35% rate.

Prescription medicines are exempt in Connecticut, as they are in every state that levies a sales tax; over-the-counter drugs and most medical supplies are treated separately and are frequently taxable.

Out-of-state sellers must register and collect Connecticut tax once they cross the state's economic nexus threshold, a rule that follows from the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair. Below that threshold, the buyer technically owes use tax instead.

Connecticut Sales Tax vs. the National Picture

At 6.35% combined (state plus average local), Connecticut's sales tax ranks 34th-highest nationally — below the national median of 7%.

Connecticut adds no local sales taxes, so the 6.35% state rate is exactly what you pay at the register everywhere in Connecticut.

Combined state-plus-local averages nearby: Massachusetts (6.25%); New York (8.54%); Rhode Island (7%). Massachusetts has the lowest nearby rate at 6.25%.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the sales tax rate in Connecticut? +
The Connecticut state sales tax rate is 6.35%. With the average local sales tax of 0%, the combined rate is approximately 6.35%. Actual rates vary by city and county — some localities charge higher or lower local rates.
How do I calculate Connecticut sales tax on a purchase? +
Multiply the pre-tax price by the applicable tax rate as a decimal. For example, on a $100 purchase at the combined 6.35% rate: $100 x 0.0635 = $6.35 in tax, for a total of $106.35. Our calculator handles this automatically for any amount.
Are groceries taxed in Connecticut? +
Unprepared groceries are exempt from Connecticut state sales tax — meals and prepared food are taxed at a higher 7.35% rate. Prepared meals, restaurant food and hot deli items are treated as taxable sales rather than groceries and carry the full 6.35% combined rate wherever they are bought.
Does Connecticut charge sales tax on online purchases? +
Yes. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, Connecticut requires out-of-state online retailers that meet economic nexus thresholds to collect and remit Connecticut sales tax. This means most online purchases are subject to the same 6.35% state rate plus applicable local taxes.
What items are exempt from Connecticut sales tax? +
Prescription medicines are exempt. Unprepared groceries are exempt from Connecticut state sales tax — meals and prepared food are taxed at a higher 7.35% rate. Clothing is taxable in Connecticut, unlike in the handful of states that exempt apparel. Sales to exempt organisations, most services, and resale purchases made with a valid Connecticut resale certificate are also outside the tax. The Connecticut Department of Revenue publishes the authoritative exemption list.
Why is the sales tax rate the same everywhere in Connecticut? +
Connecticut does not layer local sales taxes on top of the state rate, so the 6.35% state rate applies uniformly in every city and county. In most states local add-ons change the total from place to place; in Connecticut, what you see is what you pay.
Is Connecticut a high sales tax state? +
Connecticut's 6.35% combined average ranks 34th-highest nationally, below the national median of 7%. For the full picture, the state also levies a graduated income tax topping out at 6.99%.
How does Connecticut sales tax compare with neighboring states? +
Rates change the moment you cross a border. Combined state-plus-local averages for nearby states: Massachusetts (6.25%); New York (8.54%); Rhode Island (7%) — versus 6.35% in Connecticut. Massachusetts is the cheapest nearby option at 6.25%.

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