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

Louisiana Sales Tax Calculator 2026

New Orleans 9.45% · Baton Rouge 9.95% · Lafayette 10.45% · LA base 4.45%

Louisiana consistently has the highest average combined sales tax rate in the US at approximately 9.56%. The state rate is 4.45%, but parish (county equivalent) and city additions push most Louisiana cities past 9%–10%. New Orleans is 9.45%, Baton Rouge 9.95%, Lafayette 10.45%. Louisiana also taxes groceries at the full rate.

Quick answer

Use 9.45% as the starting Louisiana 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
4.45%
Average combined
9.56%
New Orleans rate
9.45% combined

Calculator

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

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Quick amounts

Enter an amount to see the result.

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

Louisiana combined rates by city — 2026 reference

  • New Orleans
    Orleans Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish 5%
    9.45%
  • Baton Rouge
    East Baton Rouge County · State 4.45% + Parish/City 5.5%
    9.95%
  • Lafayette
    Lafayette Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish/City 6%
    10.45%
  • Shreveport
    Caddo Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish/City 4.6%
    9.05%
  • Metairie
    Jefferson Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish 4.75%
    9.2%
  • Lake Charles
    Calcasieu Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish/City 5%
    9.45%
  • Kenner
    Jefferson Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish 4.75%
    9.2%
  • Monroe
    Ouachita Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish/City 6%
    10.45%
  • Bossier City
    Bossier Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish/City 5%
    9.45%
  • Alexandria
    Rapides Parish County · State 4.45% + Parish/City 5.15%
    9.6%

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

Formula

How to calculate Louisiana 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

  1. Enter the item price before tax.
  2. Use the city rate above or type the exact local rate from the official source.
  3. Calculate the sales tax amount and final total instantly.
ExampleFormulaTaxTotal
$100 purchase in New Orleans$100.00 x 9.45%$9.45$109.45
$250 purchase in Baton Rouge$250.00 x 9.95%$24.87$274.88
Reverse tax from $109.45 in New Orleans$109.45 ÷ 1.09450 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $9.45 was sales tax.$100.00 before tax$100.00 before tax

Louisiana sales tax examples

Common receipt calculations using high-search city rates.

$100 purchase in New Orleans

$109.45 total

$100.00 × 9.45% = $9.45 sales tax in New Orleans, Louisiana.

$250 purchase in Baton Rouge

$274.87 total

$250.00 × 9.95% = $24.87 sales tax in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Reverse tax from $109.45 in New Orleans

$100.00 before tax

$109.45 ÷ 1.09450 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $9.45 was sales tax.

State rate: 4.45%
Avg combined: 9.56%
Economic nexus: $100,000 in sales OR 200 transactions in Louisiana
Filing: Monthly or Quarterly

How Louisiana Sales Tax Works

Louisiana consistently ranks as the highest average combined sales tax state in the US. The 4.45% state rate is moderate, but Louisiana's 64 parishes add 4%–6% in local taxes. Louisiana also taxes groceries at the full combined rate — unusual among US states.

Louisiana Parishes and Their Sales Tax Rates

Lafayette and Ouachita (Monroe) parishes have some of the highest rates at 10.45%. East Baton Rouge is 9.95%. Orleans Parish (New Orleans) is 9.45%. Jefferson Parish (Metairie) is 9.2%. Caddo Parish (Shreveport) is 9.05%.

Often taxable in Louisiana

  • General merchandise
  • Electronics
  • Clothing
  • Restaurant meals
  • Groceries (taxed at full rate)

Common exemptions

  • Prescription drugs
  • Medical equipment
  • Agricultural production items
  • Manufacturing equipment

Common mistakes to avoid

Using only the state rate

Louisiana's 4.45% state rate is only the starting point. New Orleans is 9.45% 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 Louisiana rules for food, apparel, medicine, and digital goods before invoicing.

Quoting the average rate for every address

The 9.56% average is useful for estimates; use address-level rates for compliance and customer quotes.

Official Louisiana sales tax source

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

  • Rates on this page were compared to Louisiana official Department of Revenue publications as of January 2026.
  • New Orleans is listed at 9.45% combined (State 4.45% + Parish 5%). 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.

Louisiana sales tax — frequently asked questions

What is the Louisiana sales tax rate in 2026?

Louisiana's state rate is 4.45%. With parish and city additions, the average combined rate is approximately 9.56% — highest in the US. Many cities exceed 10%.

Does Louisiana tax groceries?

Yes. Louisiana taxes groceries at the full combined rate, unlike most US states that exempt food. This significantly increases the tax burden on everyday purchases.

What are parishes in Louisiana for sales tax purposes?

Louisiana uses 'parishes' instead of 'counties.' Each parish levies its own sales tax — typically 4%–6% on top of the state rate.

What is the New Orleans sales tax rate?

New Orleans (Orleans Parish) has a combined sales tax rate of 9.45% — 4.45% Louisiana state plus 5% Orleans Parish tax.

Is clothing taxable in Louisiana?

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

Does Louisiana charge sales tax on online purchases?

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

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

Divide the tax-inclusive total by 1 plus the combined rate as a decimal. At 9.56% combined: $108 ÷ 1.08 ≈ $100 before tax.

Is shipping taxable in Louisiana?

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

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Use the correct Louisiana sales tax rate

Use this page for quick Louisiana 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.

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