Louisiana sales tax at a glance
Louisiana's typical combined rate of 10.13% ranks 1st highest among the 50 states. Louisiana's 10.13% average combined rate is the highest in the nation; the state rate rose from 4.45% to 5% in 2025.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 10.13%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $2.53 | $27.53 |
| $100 | $10.13 | $110.13 |
| $500 | $50.65 | $550.65 |
| $2,000 | $202.60 | $2,202.60 |
Louisiana vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Louisiana's 10.13% is 3.47 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $1,041 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a 3% flat income tax, that shapes how Louisiana funds itself — see the Louisiana 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 10.13% | $25.33 | $3,039 |
| Mississippi | 7.06% | $17.65 | $2,118 |
| Texas | 8.2% | $20.50 | $2,460 |
| Arkansas | 9.48% | $23.70 | $2,844 |
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 Louisiana receipt
A Louisiana 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 0.1013 (the 10.13% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 12%; 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 Louisiana in 2026?
Louisiana's state sales tax is 5%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 5.13% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 10.13% — and up to 12% in the highest-tax localities. Louisiana's 10.13% average combined rate is the highest in the nation; the state rate rose from 4.45% to 5% in 2025.
+How do I calculate Louisiana sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 10.13%, a $110.13 total means a $100.00 price and $10.13 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Louisiana sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
About $3,039 at the 10.13% average combined rate ($1,500 at the 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 Louisiana's sales tax compare nationally?
Louisiana's 10.13% average combined rate ranks 1st highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Louisiana?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 5% (state only) up to about 12%. 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.