Milwaukee 5.5% · Madison 5.5% · Green Bay 5.5% · WI base 5% — low rates
Wisconsin has a 5% state sales tax — one of the lower rates in the Midwest. Most Wisconsin counties add 0.5%, making the standard combined rate 5.5% across almost the entire state. Wisconsin's 5.5% average is well below the national average.
Quick answer
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.
Calculator
Change this anytime — no extra click. Verify final rates with your state or country tax authority.
Quick amounts
Educational tool only — not tax advice. Confirm rates before filing or pricing for customers.
ZIP and district rules can differ. Verify on Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue.
Formula
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 = item price x (rate / 100)
Final total = item price + sales tax
| Example | Formula | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 purchase in Milwaukee | $100.00 x 5.5% | $5.50 | $105.50 |
| $250 purchase in Madison | $250.00 x 5.5% | $13.75 | $263.75 |
| Reverse tax from $105.5 in Milwaukee | $105.5 ÷ 1.05500 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $5.50 was sales tax. | $100.00 before tax | $100.00 before tax |
Common receipt calculations using high-search city rates.
$105.5 total
$100.00 × 5.5% = $5.50 sales tax in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
$263.75 total
$250.00 × 5.5% = $13.75 sales tax in Madison, Wisconsin.
$100.00 before tax
$105.5 ÷ 1.05500 ≈ $100.00 pre-tax; about $5.50 was sales tax.
Wisconsin's 5% state rate plus a nearly uniform 0.5% county addition produces a 5.5% combined rate across most of the state — well below the national average. Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt statewide.
All 72 Wisconsin counties charge exactly 0.5% county addition, bringing the combined rate to 5.5% everywhere. This complete uniformity makes Wisconsin one of the simplest states for sales tax calculation.
Wisconsin's 5% state rate is only the starting point. Milwaukee is 5.5% combined.
To reverse sales tax, divide by 1 + (rate ÷ 100). Do not subtract the percentage from the tax-inclusive price.
Exemptions differ by item. Review Wisconsin rules for food, apparel, medicine, and digital goods before invoicing.
The 5.7% average is useful for estimates; use address-level rates for compliance and customer quotes.
Rates and rules on this page were last reviewed in January 2026 against Wisconsin Dept. of Revenue. Use the linked authority for filing, registrations, or address-specific compliance.
Wisconsin has a 5% state rate. Most counties add 0.5% for 5.5% combined. Wisconsin has one of the lowest average rates in the Midwest.
No. Unprepared food items for home consumption are generally exempt from Wisconsin sales tax.
Milwaukee uses about 5.5% combined sales tax (State 5% + County 0.5%). Always verify the current rate for your exact address.
Clothing and footwear are generally taxable in Wisconsin at the combined state and local rate unless a specific exemption applies.
Remote sellers and marketplaces that exceed Wisconsin's economic nexus threshold ($100,000 in sales OR 200 transactions in Wisconsin) generally must collect Wisconsin sales tax based on the delivery address.
Divide the tax-inclusive total by 1 plus the combined rate as a decimal. At 5.7% combined: $108 ÷ 1.08 ≈ $100 before tax.
Rules differ by state. See our shipping tax calculator and Wisconsin Department of Revenue guidance to learn whether delivery, freight, and handling are taxable on your order.
Use this page for quick Wisconsin 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.