Alaska sales tax at a glance
Alaska's typical combined rate of 1.82% ranks 46th highest among the 50 states. Alaska has no state sales tax, but many boroughs and cities levy their own — up to 7.85% in some places.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 1.82%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $0.46 | $25.46 |
| $100 | $1.82 | $101.82 |
| $500 | $9.10 | $509.10 |
| $2,000 | $36.40 | $2,036.40 |
Alaska vs. the national average
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Alaska's 1.82% is 4.84 points below that — on a $30,000 car, about $1,452 less than the national average buyer pays. Combined with no state income tax, that shapes how Alaska funds itself — see the Alaska paycheck calculator for the payroll side.
Reading a Alaska receipt
A Alaska receipt typically shows tax as a single line at the combined rate, even though the money is split between the state and one or more local jurisdictions. To check a receipt: multiply the taxable subtotal by 0.0182 (the 1.82% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 7.85%; if lower, some items were exempt (groceries and prescriptions are exempt or reduced in most states). The reverse mode on the calculator above recovers the pre-tax price from any total.
Frequently asked questions
+What is the sales tax in Alaska in 2026?
Alaska's state sales tax is 0%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 1.82% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 1.82% — and up to 7.85% in the highest-tax localities. Alaska has no state sales tax, but many boroughs and cities levy their own — up to 7.85% in some places.
+How do I calculate Alaska sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 1.82%, a $101.82 total means a $100.00 price and $1.82 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Alaska sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Alaska sales tax based on your delivery address — the same state and local rate you'd pay in a store.
+How much is sales tax on a $30,000 car in Alaska?
About $546 at the 1.82% average combined rate ($0 at the 0% state rate alone). Vehicle tax is generally assessed by your state of registration and collected when you title the car; some states cap or exempt private-party sales.
+How does Alaska's sales tax compare nationally?
Alaska's 1.82% average combined rate ranks 46th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Alaska?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 0% (state only) up to about 7.85%. Use a recent receipt or your state revenue department's lookup for your exact address.
Rates as of July 1, 2026, from state revenue departments compiled by the Tax Foundation; local averages are population-weighted. Product exemptions (groceries, clothing, medicine) vary by state. Estimates only — see our terms.