Menu
Official 2026 State Tax Guide

Vermont Reverse Sales Tax: Price Before Tax (2026)

Vermont has a state sales tax rate of 6%. Use the calculator below to find the original price.

SOURCE: TAX FOUNDATION & STATE TAX DEPARTMENTS
$
%

* Pre-filled with Vermont state tax rate. You can adjust this if local taxes apply.

State Sales Tax

6.00%

Avg. Local Tax

0.37%

Combined Rate

6.37%

Ritu Sharma Umesh Kant Sharma

Expert Verified

CPA Reviewed Resource

Update: May 2026

Data Research Lead

Ritu Sharma

Tax Research Analyst specializing in global tax compliance and rate tracking.

View Credentials →

Editorial Reviewer

Umesh Kant Sharma

Senior Revenue Technologist with over 15 years of financial systems expertise.

View Profile →

Verified against official 2026 revenue schedules for Vermont.

View Standards

Understanding Vermont Sales Tax

Vermont levies a 6.00% state sales tax with minimal local additions - only a few cities and towns add small local taxes, making the average combined rate just 6.37%. The vast majority of Vermont transactions occur at the flat 6.00% state rate. Burlington, Vermont's largest city, is one of the few Vermont municipalities that adds a local tax, bringing its combined rate slightly above the state rate.

Vermont's sales tax applies to tangible personal property and some services, but the Green Mountain State has meaningful exemptions that reduce the effective burden for consumers. Vermont is notable for its 9.00% meals and rooms tax, which applies to restaurant meals and hotel stays - significantly higher than the standard 6.00% goods rate. This differentiated rate structure means that dining out or staying in a Vermont hotel carries a notably higher tax burden than buying goods at retail.

Why Reverse Calculation Matters in Vermont

Vermont's tourism-heavy economy - driven by ski resorts, fall foliage visitors, and summer outdoor recreation - makes the meals and rooms tax a significant revenue source. Hotels, bed and breakfasts, inns, and restaurants all collect 9.00% on their taxable transactions, and accurately separating this tax from gross revenue is a daily necessity for Vermont's large hospitality sector.

For general retailers, Vermont's 6.00% standard rate and near-zero local additions make compliance straightforward. Remote sellers with Vermont customers must comply with the state's economic nexus rules, which are administered by the Vermont Department of Taxes. Reverse calculation at Vermont's various rates - 6.00% for most goods, 9.00% for meals and lodging - ensures accurate pre-tax price determination for any Vermont transaction type.

Sales Tax Rates in Major Vermont Cities (Quick Look)

City Total Rate
Burlington 7.00%
South Burlington 7.00%

General Taxability Guidelines

🍎 Groceries
Exempt
👕 Clothing
Exempt
💊 Prescription Medicine
Exempt

Detailed Tax Rates in Major Vermont Cities

City / Category
Burlington
Standard Rate
6.00%
Meals & Rooms
9.00%
Notes
1% local meals add-on
City / Category
Essex Junction
Standard Rate
6.00%
Meals & Rooms
9.00%
Notes
Standard statewide rates
City / Category
Rutland
Standard Rate
6.00%
Meals & Rooms
9.00%
Notes
Standard statewide rates
City / Category
Barre
Standard Rate
6.00%
Meals & Rooms
9.00%
Notes
Standard statewide rates
City / Category
Montpelier (Capital)
Standard Rate
6.00%
Meals & Rooms
9.00%
Notes
Standard statewide rates
City / Category
Stowe (Ski Resort)
Standard Rate
6.00%
Meals & Rooms
9.00%
Notes
High tourism activity
City / Category
Brattleboro
Standard Rate
6.00%
Meals & Rooms
9.00%
Notes
Standard statewide rates
City / Category
St. Albans
Standard Rate
6.00%
Meals & Rooms
9.00%
Notes
Standard statewide rates

Detailed Taxability Rules & Exemptions in Vermont

  • Groceries (food for home consumption) - exempt from Vermont sales tax
  • Prescription drugs - fully exempt
  • Clothing and footwear priced under $110 per item - exempt
  • Agricultural equipment, seeds, feed, and supplies used in farming
  • Residential heating fuel (oil, propane, wood) - exempt for residential use
  • Sales to qualifying nonprofit organizations and government agencies

Real-World Reverse Calculation Example

You stayed at a ski resort in Stowe, Vermont for two nights. Your hotel bill came to $653.40 total, inclusive of Vermont's 9.00% meals and rooms tax.

  • Convert rate: 9.00% ÷ 100 = 0.09
  • Add 1: 1 + 0.09 = 1.09
  • Divide: $653.40 ÷ 1.09 = $599.45 (pre-tax room rate)
  • Tax: $653.40 − $599.45 = $53.95
  • Room cost before tax: $599.45 | Vermont meals & rooms tax: $53.95

Vermont Sales Tax Compliance & Filing

Vermont sales tax is administered by the Vermont Department of Taxes. Businesses must register for a sales tax permit before making taxable sales. Filing is monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually based on average liability. Returns are due on the 25th of the month following the reporting period. Vermont's economic nexus threshold is $100,000 in Vermont sales or 200 transactions in the current or prior calendar year. Vermont also separately administers the Meals and Rooms Tax for hospitality businesses.

Official Citations & Sources

  • Tax data sourced from the Vermont Department of Taxes, which administers the 6% state rate plus a 1% local option tax adopted by certain municipalities.
  • Local option tax municipalities verified through the Vermont Department of Taxes' 2026 Local Option Tax guidance.
  • Official Link: Vermont Department of Taxes - Official Website

Frequently Asked Questions - Vermont Sales Tax

Yes. Vermont's standard sales tax rate is 6.00%, but restaurant meals and hotel stays are taxed at 9.00% under the Meals and Rooms Tax. This 3-percentage-point difference is significant - always use 9.00% when reverse-calculating a restaurant receipt or hotel bill in Vermont.
Clothing and footwear items priced below $110 per item are exempt from Vermont sales tax - similar to New York's threshold. Items at or above $110 are taxable at the 6.00% rate.
No. Food for home consumption is exempt from Vermont's 6.00% sales tax. However, prepared food at restaurants and delis is taxable at 9.00% under the Meals and Rooms Tax.
Remote sellers must collect Vermont sales tax if they exceed $100,000 in Vermont sales OR 200 or more transactions delivered to Vermont customers in the current or prior calendar year.
Yes. Burlington adds a 1% local meals tax on top of the state's 9% Meals and Rooms Tax, bringing the total rate on restaurant meals in Burlington to 10%. This local addition is specific to Burlington and a few other municipalities.

Explore Other US States

Looking for a different jurisdiction? Compare calculators for other US states:

Legal Disclaimer: While we strive to maintain accurate and up-to-date tax rate information from reliable sources, tax rates can change frequently. Always verify current rates with your local tax authority or a qualified tax professional for official tax matters. This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional tax, legal, or financial advice.

Last Updated: April 2026 Rates Subject to Change