Missouri sales tax at a glance
Missouri's typical combined rate of 8.44% ranks 12th highest among the 50 states. Missouri's local add-ons average as much as the state rate itself; rates vary widely by district.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 8.44%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $2.11 | $27.11 |
| $100 | $8.44 | $108.44 |
| $500 | $42.20 | $542.20 |
| $2,000 | $168.80 | $2,168.80 |
Missouri vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Missouri's 8.44% is 1.78 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $534 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 4.7%, that shapes how Missouri funds itself — see the Missouri 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 8.44% | $21.10 | $2,532 |
| Kentucky | 6% | $15.00 | $1,800 |
| Iowa | 6.94% | $17.35 | $2,082 |
| Nebraska | 6.98% | $17.45 | $2,094 |
| Kansas | 8.71% | $21.78 | $2,613 |
| Illinois | 8.98% | $22.45 | $2,694 |
| Oklahoma | 9.06% | $22.65 | $2,718 |
| Arkansas | 9.48% | $23.70 | $2,844 |
| Tennessee | 9.61% | $24.03 | $2,883 |
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 Missouri receipt
A Missouri 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 0.0844 (the 8.44% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 10.47%; 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 Missouri in 2026?
Missouri's state sales tax is 4.225%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 4.22% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 8.44% — and up to 10.47% in the highest-tax localities. Missouri's local add-ons average as much as the state rate itself; rates vary widely by district.
+How do I calculate Missouri sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 8.44%, a $108.44 total means a $100.00 price and $8.44 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Missouri sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Missouri 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 Missouri?
About $2,532 at the 8.44% average combined rate ($1,267 at the 4.225% 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 Missouri's sales tax compare nationally?
Missouri's 8.44% average combined rate ranks 12th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Missouri?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 4.225% (state only) up to about 10.47%. 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.