Utah sales tax at a glance
Utah's typical combined rate of 7.42% ranks 20th highest among the 50 states. Utah's state rate includes a mandatory 1.25% statewide local add-on.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 7.42%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.86 | $26.86 |
| $100 | $7.42 | $107.42 |
| $500 | $37.10 | $537.10 |
| $2,000 | $148.40 | $2,148.40 |
Utah vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Utah's 7.42% is 0.76 points above that — on a $30,000 car, about $228 more than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a 4.5% flat income tax, that shapes how Utah funds itself — see the Utah 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 7.42% | $18.55 | $2,226 |
| Wyoming | 5.39% | $13.48 | $1,617 |
| Idaho | 6.03% | $15.08 | $1,809 |
| New Mexico | 7.68% | $19.20 | $2,304 |
| Colorado | 7.89% | $19.73 | $2,367 |
| Nevada | 8.24% | $20.60 | $2,472 |
| Arizona | 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 Utah receipt
A Utah 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 0.0742 (the 7.42% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 10.8%; 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 Utah in 2026?
Utah's state sales tax is 6.1%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 1.32% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 7.42% — and up to 10.8% in the highest-tax localities. Utah's state rate includes a mandatory 1.25% statewide local add-on.
+How do I calculate Utah sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 7.42%, a $107.42 total means a $100.00 price and $7.42 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Utah sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Utah 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 Utah?
About $2,226 at the 7.42% average combined rate ($1,830 at the 6.1% 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 Utah's sales tax compare nationally?
Utah's 7.42% average combined rate ranks 20th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Utah?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 6.1% (state only) up to about 10.8%. 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.