Rates verified January 2026 · Source: Iowa Dept. of Revenue

Iowa Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Des Moines 7% · Cedar Rapids 7% · Iowa City 7% · IA base 6%

Iowa has a 6% state sales tax. Most Iowa cities have adopted a 1% local option sales tax (LOST), making the combined rate 7% in most populated areas. Groceries are exempt from Iowa sales tax.

State guide Shipping rules Grocery tax Reverse formula

Quick answer

Use 7% as the starting Iowa sales tax rate.

The calculator below lets you add tax to a price or remove tax from a receipt total. Pick a city when available, or type the exact local rate from the official source.

State base rate

Average combined

6.94%

Des Moines rate

7% combined

Calculator

City (optional — fills rate)

Sales tax rate — type any % (editable)

Change this anytime — no extra click. Verify final rates with your state or country tax authority.

Amount before tax

Quick amounts

Enter an amount to see the result.

Educational tool only — not tax advice. Confirm rates before filing or pricing for customers.

Iowa combined rates by city — 2026 reference

Des Moines
Polk County · State 6% + Local Option 1%
7%
Cedar Rapids
Linn County · State 6% + Local Option 1%
7%
Davenport
Scott County · State 6% + Local Option 1%
7%
Sioux City
Woodbury County · State 6% + Local Option 1%
7%
Iowa City
Johnson County · State 6% + Local Option 1%
7%
Waterloo
Black Hawk County · State 6% + Local Option 1%
7%
Ames
Story County · State 6% + Local Option 1%
7%
Council Bluffs
Pottawattamie County · State 6% + Local Option 1%
7%

ZIP and district rules can differ. Verify on Iowa Dept. of Revenue.

Formula

How to calculate Iowa sales tax

Multiply the taxable price by the combined state and local rate. Then add the tax amount to the original price to get the final checkout total.

Sales tax formula

Sales tax = item price x (rate / 100)

Final total = item price + sales tax

Enter the item price before tax.
Use the city rate above or type the exact local rate from the official source.
Calculate the sales tax amount and final total instantly.

Example	Formula	Tax	Total
$100 purchase in Des Moines	$100.00 x 7%	$7.00	$107.00
$250 purchase in Cedar Rapids	$250.00 x 7%	$17.50	$267.50
Reverse tax from $107 in Des Moines	$107 ÷ 1.07000 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $7.00 was sales tax.	$100.00 before tax	$100.00 before tax

Iowa sales tax examples

Common receipt calculations using high-search city rates.

$100 purchase in Des Moines

$107 total

$100.00 × 7% = $7.00 sales tax in Des Moines, Iowa.

$250 purchase in Cedar Rapids

$267.5 total

$250.00 × 7% = $17.50 sales tax in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Reverse tax from $107 in Des Moines

$100.00 before tax

$107 ÷ 1.07000 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $7.00 was sales tax.

State rate: 6%

Avg combined: 6.94%

Economic nexus: $100,000 in sales OR 200 transactions in Iowa

Filing: Monthly, Quarterly, or Annual

Iowa Sales Tax

Iowa's 6% state rate is commonly supplemented by a 1% local option sales tax adopted by many cities. The combined rate of 7% applies in most populated Iowa areas. Groceries are exempt statewide.

Iowa combined rates by city

Combined rates vary across Iowa. Reference cities on this page include: Des Moines (7%), Cedar Rapids (7%), Davenport (7%), Sioux City (7%), Iowa City (7%), Waterloo (7%). ZIP codes and special districts can differ — use the official lookup linked above for address-level filing.

Common exemptions in Iowa

Common exemptions include: Groceries and unprepared food; Prescription drugs; Medical equipment; Agricultural items. Restaurant meals, prepared food, and many services are often taxable even when groceries are exempt.

Online sellers and economic nexus

Out-of-state sellers that exceed $100,000 in sales OR 200 transactions in Iowa in Iowa generally must register and collect tax on taxable sales delivered into the state. Marketplace facilitators often remit tax on behalf of third-party sellers.

How to use this calculator

Pick a city from the list or type the combined percentage from your IA tax lookup. Enter a pre-tax amount to add sales tax, or use reverse mode to split tax from a receipt total. Businesses should validate address-level rates in certified tax software before filing returns.

Often taxable in Iowa

General merchandise
Electronics
Clothing
Furniture
Restaurant meals

Common exemptions

Groceries and unprepared food
Prescription drugs
Medical equipment
Agricultural items

Common mistakes to avoid

Using only the state rate

Iowa's 6% state rate is only the starting point. Des Moines is 7% combined.

Subtracting tax from a gross total

To reverse sales tax, divide by 1 + (rate ÷ 100). Do not subtract the percentage from the tax-inclusive price.

Treating groceries and clothing the same

Exemptions differ by item. Review Iowa rules for food, apparel, medicine, and digital goods before invoicing.

Quoting the average rate for every address

The 6.94% average is useful for estimates; use address-level rates for compliance and customer quotes.

Official Iowa sales tax source

Rates and rules on this page were last reviewed in January 2026 against Iowa Dept. of Revenue. Use the linked authority for filing, registrations, or address-specific compliance.

Rates on this page were compared to Iowa official Department of Revenue publications as of January 2026.
Des Moines is listed at 7% combined (State 6% + Local Option 1%). Confirm ZIP-level rates before filing.
Destination-based rules usually apply to shipped orders — use the delivery address rate, not the seller's warehouse rate, unless official guidance says otherwise.

Iowa sales tax — frequently asked questions

What is the Iowa sales tax rate in 2026?

Iowa state rate is 6%. Most cities have adopted the 1% local option tax (LOST), making the combined rate 7% in most major Iowa cities.

Are groceries taxed in Iowa?

No. Groceries and unprepared food are exempt from Iowa sales tax.

What is the sales tax rate in Des Moines, IA?

Des Moines uses about 7% combined sales tax (State 6% + Local Option 1%). Always verify the current rate for your exact address.

Is clothing taxable in Iowa?

Clothing and footwear are generally taxable in Iowa at the combined state and local rate unless a specific exemption applies.

Does Iowa charge sales tax on online purchases?

Remote sellers and marketplaces that exceed Iowa's economic nexus threshold ($100,000 in sales OR 200 transactions in Iowa) generally must collect Iowa sales tax based on the delivery address.

How do I reverse Iowa sales tax from a receipt total?

Divide the tax-inclusive total by 1 plus the combined rate as a decimal. At 6.94% combined: $108 ÷ 1.08 ≈ $100 before tax.

Is shipping taxable in Iowa?

Rules differ by state. See our shipping tax calculator and Iowa Department of Revenue guidance to learn whether delivery, freight, and handling are taxable on your order.

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Use the correct Iowa sales tax rate

Use this page for quick Iowa sales tax estimates, receipt checks, and reverse tax calculations. For the most accurate result, choose the closest city rate or verify the exact address-level rate with the official source, then enter that percentage in the calculator.

Open all-state calculator

Disclaimer: Rates are for informational and educational purposes and may be incomplete or outdated. Always verify with the official Iowa revenue authority or a qualified professional before filing or making business decisions.