Minnesota sales tax at a glance
Minnesota's typical combined rate of 8.14% ranks 15th highest among the 50 states. Minnesota exempts most clothing and groceries.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 8.14%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $2.04 | $27.03 |
| $100 | $8.14 | $108.14 |
| $500 | $40.70 | $540.70 |
| $2,000 | $162.80 | $2,162.80 |
Minnesota vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Minnesota's 8.14% is 1.48 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $444 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 9.85%, that shapes how Minnesota funds itself — see the Minnesota 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minnesota | 8.14% | $20.35 | $2,442 |
| Wisconsin | 5.72% | $14.30 | $1,716 |
| South Dakota | 6.11% | $15.28 | $1,833 |
| Iowa | 6.94% | $17.35 | $2,082 |
| North Dakota | 7.09% | $17.73 | $2,127 |
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 Minnesota receipt
A Minnesota 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 0.0814 (the 8.14% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 9.88%; 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 Minnesota in 2026?
Minnesota's state sales tax is 6.875%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 1.26% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 8.14% — and up to 9.88% in the highest-tax localities. Minnesota exempts most clothing and groceries.
+How do I calculate Minnesota sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 8.14%, a $108.14 total means a $100.00 price and $8.14 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Minnesota sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Minnesota 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 Minnesota?
About $2,442 at the 8.14% average combined rate ($2,063 at the 6.875% 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 Minnesota's sales tax compare nationally?
Minnesota's 8.14% average combined rate ranks 15th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Minnesota?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 6.875% (state only) up to about 9.88%. 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.