Jun 15, 2026
Ritu Sharma
Author
Sales tax in the US ranges from 0% in Oregon and Delaware to over 10% in parts of Louisiana — and the gap between the lowest and highest combined rates can mean hundreds of dollars on a single large purchase. Louisiana raised its state rate to 5% in 2025, pushing its combined average past Tennessee to become the nation's highest. Five states have no sales tax at all, groceries are exempt in most states (Illinois just made its exemption permanent for 2026), and online purchases now almost always include tax thanks to post-Wayfair economic nexus rules. This guide covers every rate, every major exemption category, and exactly how to calculate what you owe.