Arkansas sales tax at a glance
Arkansas's typical combined rate of 9.48% ranks 4th highest among the 50 states. Arkansas eliminated its remaining 0.125% state grocery tax in 2026, though local grocery taxes can still apply.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 9.48%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $2.37 | $27.37 |
| $100 | $9.48 | $109.48 |
| $500 | $47.40 | $547.40 |
| $2,000 | $189.60 | $2,189.60 |
Arkansas vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Arkansas's 9.48% is 2.82 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $846 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 3.9%, that shapes how Arkansas funds itself — see the Arkansas paycheck calculator for the payroll side.
Border shopping is real: here's what the same purchases cost across state lines, at each state's average combined rate.
| State | Combined rate | Tax on $250 | Tax on $30,000 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas | 9.48% | $23.70 | $2,844 |
| Mississippi | 7.06% | $17.65 | $2,118 |
| Texas | 8.2% | $20.50 | $2,460 |
| Missouri | 8.44% | $21.10 | $2,532 |
| Oklahoma | 9.06% | $22.65 | $2,718 |
| Tennessee | 9.61% | $24.03 | $2,883 |
| Louisiana | 10.13% | $25.33 | $3,039 |
Vehicle purchases are usually taxed by the state where the car is registered, not where it's bought — so the car column shows the rate you'd owe as a resident, not a border-shopping opportunity.
Reading a Arkansas receipt
A Arkansas 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 0.0948 (the 9.48% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 12.63%; 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 Arkansas in 2026?
Arkansas's state sales tax is 6.5%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 2.98% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 9.48% — and up to 12.63% in the highest-tax localities. Arkansas eliminated its remaining 0.125% state grocery tax in 2026, though local grocery taxes can still apply.
+How do I calculate Arkansas sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 9.48%, a $109.48 total means a $100.00 price and $9.48 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Arkansas sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
About $2,844 at the 9.48% average combined rate ($1,950 at the 6.5% 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 Arkansas's sales tax compare nationally?
Arkansas's 9.48% average combined rate ranks 4th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Arkansas?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 6.5% (state only) up to about 12.63%. 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.