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

Massachusetts Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Flat 6.25% statewide · clothing under $175/item exempt · no local additions

Massachusetts has a flat 6.25% state sales tax with no local additions. Every purchase in Massachusetts — whether in Boston, Worcester, Springfield, or anywhere else — is taxed at 6.25%. Clothing and footwear items under $175 per individual item are exempt.

State guide Shipping rules Grocery tax Reverse formula

Quick answer

Use 6.25% as the starting Massachusetts 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

6.25%

Average combined

6.25%

Boston rate

6.25% 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.

Massachusetts combined rates by city — 2026 reference

Boston
Suffolk County · State 6.25% only — no local additions anywhere in MA
6.25%
Worcester
Worcester County · State 6.25% only
6.25%
Springfield
Hampden County · State 6.25% only
6.25%
Lowell
Middlesex County · State 6.25% only
6.25%
Cambridge
Middlesex County · State 6.25% only
6.25%
New Bedford
Bristol County · State 6.25% only
6.25%
Brockton
Plymouth County · State 6.25% only
6.25%
Quincy
Norfolk County · State 6.25% only
6.25%
Lynn
Essex County · State 6.25% only
6.25%
Fall River
Bristol County · State 6.25% only
6.25%

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

Formula

How to calculate Massachusetts 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 Boston	$100.00 x 6.25%	$6.25	$106.25
$250 purchase in Worcester	$250.00 x 6.25%	$15.63	$265.63
Reverse tax from $106.25 in Boston	$106.25 ÷ 1.06250 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $6.25 was sales tax.	$100.00 before tax	$100.00 before tax

Massachusetts sales tax examples

Common receipt calculations using high-search city rates.

$100 purchase in Boston

$106.25 total

$100.00 × 6.25% = $6.25 sales tax in Boston, Massachusetts.

$250 purchase in Worcester

$265.63 total

$250.00 × 6.25% = $15.63 sales tax in Worcester, Massachusetts.

Reverse tax from $106.25 in Boston

$100.00 before tax

$106.25 ÷ 1.06250 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $6.25 was sales tax.

State rate: 6.25%

Avg combined: 6.25%

Economic nexus: $100,000 in sales OR 100 transactions in Massachusetts

Filing: Monthly, Quarterly, or Annual

How Massachusetts Sales Tax Works

Massachusetts applies a clean 6.25% flat rate to all taxable purchases throughout the state. No county additions, no city additions — the rate is exactly 6.25% everywhere. Massachusetts does not allow local sales taxes.

Massachusetts Clothing Exemption — $175 Threshold

Massachusetts exempts clothing and footwear from sales tax for individual items priced under $175. A $150 pair of shoes is completely tax-free. A $200 pair of boots is taxable at 6.25% on the full $200. The exemption applies per item — not per transaction. Standard clothing and footwear for general personal use qualifies.

Often taxable in Massachusetts

General merchandise
Electronics
Furniture
Restaurant meals
Clothing at $175 or over per item

Common exemptions

Clothing and footwear under $175 per individual item
Unprepared groceries
Prescription drugs
Medical equipment

Common mistakes to avoid

Using only the state rate

Massachusetts's 6.25% state rate is only the starting point. Boston is 6.25% 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 Massachusetts rules for food, apparel, medicine, and digital goods before invoicing.

Quoting the average rate for every address

The 6.25% average is useful for estimates; use address-level rates for compliance and customer quotes.

Official Massachusetts sales tax source

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

Rates on this page were compared to Massachusetts official Department of Revenue publications as of January 2026.
Boston is listed at 6.25% combined (State 6.25% only — no local additions anywhere in MA). 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.

Massachusetts sales tax — frequently asked questions

What is the Massachusetts sales tax rate in 2026?

Massachusetts has a flat 6.25% statewide sales tax with no county or city additions.

Is clothing taxed in Massachusetts?

Clothing and footwear items under $175 per individual item are exempt from the 6.25% tax. Items at $175 or more are fully taxable. The $175 threshold applies per item, not per transaction.

Are groceries taxed in Massachusetts?

No. Most grocery items for home consumption are exempt from Massachusetts sales tax.

Does Massachusetts have local sales taxes?

No. Massachusetts does not allow local sales taxes. The 6.25% rate is uniform statewide.

What is the sales tax rate in Boston, MA?

Boston uses about 6.25% combined sales tax (State 6.25% only — no local additions anywhere in MA). Always verify the current rate for your exact address.

Is clothing taxable in Massachusetts?

Many clothing and footwear items are exempt from Massachusetts sales tax within the limits described by the state (price caps may apply). Luxury apparel, uniforms, and specialty items may still be taxable.

Does Massachusetts charge sales tax on online purchases?

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

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

Divide the tax-inclusive total by 1 plus the combined rate as a decimal. At 6.25% combined: $108 ÷ 1.08 ≈ $100 before tax.

Is shipping taxable in Massachusetts?

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

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Use the correct Massachusetts sales tax rate

Use this page for quick Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts revenue authority or a qualified professional before filing or making business decisions.