Massachusetts sales tax at a glance
Massachusetts's typical combined rate of 6.25% ranks 35th highest among the 50 states. Massachusetts has a single statewide 6.25% rate; clothing under $175 is exempt.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 6.25%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.56 | $26.56 |
| $100 | $6.25 | $106.25 |
| $500 | $31.25 | $531.25 |
| $2,000 | $125.00 | $2,125.00 |
Massachusetts vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Massachusetts's 6.25% is 0.41 points below that — on a $30,000 car, about $123 less than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 9%, that shapes how Massachusetts funds itself — see the Massachusetts 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | $15.63 | $1,875 |
| New Hampshire | 0% | $0.00 | $0 |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | $15.88 | $1,905 |
| Vermont | 6.43% | $16.08 | $1,929 |
| 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 Massachusetts receipt
A Massachusetts 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 0.0625 (the 6.25% 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 Massachusetts in 2026?
Massachusetts charges a single statewide rate of 6.25% with no local sales taxes, so every purchase in the state is taxed the same. Massachusetts has a single statewide 6.25% rate; clothing under $175 is exempt.
+How do I calculate Massachusetts sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 6.25%, a $106.25 total means a $100.00 price and $6.25 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Massachusetts sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
About $1,875 at the 6.25% average combined rate ($1,875 at the 6.25% 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 Massachusetts's sales tax compare nationally?
Massachusetts's 6.25% average combined rate ranks 35th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Massachusetts?
Yes — Massachusetts 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.