Connecticut sales tax at a glance
Connecticut's typical combined rate of 6.35% ranks 33th highest among the 50 states. Connecticut has a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes — 6.35% everywhere.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 6.35%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.59 | $26.59 |
| $100 | $6.35 | $106.35 |
| $500 | $31.75 | $531.75 |
| $2,000 | $127.00 | $2,127.00 |
Connecticut vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Connecticut's 6.35% is 0.31 points below that — on a $30,000 car, about $93 less than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 6.99%, that shapes how Connecticut funds itself — see the Connecticut 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut | 6.35% | $15.88 | $1,905 |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | $15.63 | $1,875 |
| Rhode Island | 7% | $17.50 | $2,100 |
| New York | 8.54% | $21.35 | $2,562 |
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 Connecticut receipt
A Connecticut receipt typically shows tax as a single line at the combined rate, even though it all goes to the state. To check a receipt: multiply the taxable subtotal by 0.0635 (the 6.35% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average; 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 Connecticut in 2026?
Connecticut charges a single statewide rate of 6.35% with no local sales taxes, so every purchase in the state is taxed the same. Connecticut has a single statewide rate with no local sales taxes — 6.35% everywhere.
+How do I calculate Connecticut sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 6.35%, a $106.35 total means a $100.00 price and $6.35 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Connecticut sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Connecticut sales tax based on your delivery address — the same state rate you'd pay in a store.
+How much is sales tax on a $30,000 car in Connecticut?
About $1,905 at the 6.35% average combined rate ($1,905 at the 6.35% 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 Connecticut's sales tax compare nationally?
Connecticut's 6.35% average combined rate ranks 33th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Connecticut?
Yes — Connecticut is one of the states with a uniform statewide rate and no local add-ons.
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.