Vermont sales tax at a glance
Vermont's typical combined rate of 6.43% ranks 32th highest among the 50 states.
What sales tax adds at the register
At the average combined rate of 6.43%:
| Price | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $1.61 | $26.61 |
| $100 | $6.43 | $106.43 |
| $500 | $32.15 | $532.15 |
| $2,000 | $128.60 | $2,128.60 |
Vermont vs. the national average and its neighbors
The average combined state-and-local sales tax across the 50 states is about 6.66%. Vermont's 6.43% is 0.23 points below that — on a $30,000 car, about $69 less than the national average buyer pays. Combined with a graduated income tax topping out at 8.75%, that shapes how Vermont funds itself — see the Vermont 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 6.43% | $16.08 | $1,929 |
| New Hampshire | 0% | $0.00 | $0 |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | $15.63 | $1,875 |
| 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 Vermont receipt
A Vermont 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 0.0643 (the 6.43% average) — if the tax line is meaningfully higher, you're in a locality above the average, up to 7%; 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 Vermont in 2026?
Vermont's state sales tax is 6%. Cities, counties and districts add local taxes averaging 0.43% (population-weighted), for a typical combined rate of 6.43% — and up to 7% in the highest-tax localities.
+How do I calculate Vermont sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 6.43%, a $106.43 total means a $100.00 price and $6.43 tax. Choose "Total after tax (reverse)" above to do it automatically.
+Do online orders charge Vermont sales tax?
Yes. Since the Wayfair decision, large online sellers must collect Vermont 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 Vermont?
About $1,929 at the 6.43% average combined rate ($1,800 at the 6% 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 Vermont's sales tax compare nationally?
Vermont's 6.43% average combined rate ranks 32th highest of the 50 states, versus a national average of about 6.66%.
+Is the rate the same everywhere in Vermont?
No. Local rates vary by city and county, from 6% (state only) up to about 7%. 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.