Maryland Sales Tax Calculator 2026: 6% Statewide Rate

Maryland Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Maryland charges a single 6% sales tax across the state; counties and Baltimore City do not add a local sales tax. A few items have their own rates: 9% on alcoholic beverages, 12% on adult-use cannabis since July 2025, and a new 3% tax on certain data and IT services that also started on 1 July 2025. Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt. Enter a price below to add 6%, or a receipt total to work back to the price before tax.

By AwaisLast reviewed October 28, 2026

Maryland sales tax at a glance

Maryland sales tax rules
Type of tax	Sales and use tax
State rate	6%
Local rates	None: one rate statewide
Average combined rate	6.00%
Groceries	ExemptFood for consumption off the premises is exempt when sold by a seller with a substantial grocery business. Soft drinks, candy and alcohol are taxable.
Prescription drugs	ExemptPrescription medicines are exempt from Maryland sales tax.
Clothing	Taxed (August tax-free week)Clothing is taxed at 6%, except items of $100 or less during Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week in August (9 to 15 August in 2026).

Official rates: Comptroller of Maryland: Sales and use tax.

Worked examples

A $1,100 laptop in Baltimore (6%)

A $1,100 laptop in Baltimore (6%)
Rate	6%
Price before tax	$1,100.00
Sales tax	$66.00
Total	$1,166.00

Working: $1,100.00 × 6% = $66.00. Maryland has no local sales tax, so Baltimore, Annapolis and rural counties all charge the same 6% on general goods.

Working back from a $79.50 receipt at 6%

Working back from a $79.50 receipt at 6%
Rate	6%
Price before tax	$75.00
Sales tax	$4.50
Total	$79.50

Working back: $79.50 ÷ 1.06 = $75.00, so the tax was $4.50. Divide by 1.06 to recover the pre-tax price. Alcohol on the receipt is taxed at 9%, so work it back separately with that rate.

The 2025 changes: IT services and cannabis

Maryland's 2025 budget law added a 3% sales tax on data and information technology services and on system and application software publishing, effective 1 July 2025. It covers services in industry groups such as data processing and hosting, computer systems design and software publishing, and it replaced the earlier treatment of software as a service. The rate on adult-use cannabis rose from 9% to 12% on the same date, while the 9% rate on alcoholic beverages stayed the same. Most shoppers are affected only through business software and IT bills.

Shop Maryland tax-free weeks

Maryland holds two tax-free periods. Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week runs in August; in 2026 it was 9 to 15 August, and clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item were exempt, along with the first $40 of a backpack. Shop Maryland Energy in February exempts qualifying ENERGY STAR appliances; in 2026 it ran from 14 to 16 February. Outside those dates clothing and appliances are taxed at 6%.

Maryland vs. neighboring states

Maryland sales tax compared with neighboring states
State	State rate	Avg. combined	Groceries
Maryland	6%	6.00%	Exempt
Pennsylvania	6%	6.34%	Exempt
Delaware	0%	0.00%	No sales tax
Virginia	5.3%	5.77%	1% statewide
West Virginia	6%	6.60%	Exempt
District of Columbia	6%	6.00%	Exempt

Average combined rates are from the Tax Foundation, midyear 2026 report. See sales tax rates for every state for the full table.

Frequently asked questions

Does Maryland have local sales tax?

No. Maryland counties and Baltimore City do not charge a local sales tax, so the general rate is 6% everywhere in the state.

What is the sales tax on alcohol in Maryland?

Alcoholic beverages are taxed at 9% instead of the general 6% rate. Adult-use cannabis has been taxed at 12% since 1 July 2025.

What is the Maryland 3% tax on IT services?

Since 1 July 2025, Maryland charges a 3% sales tax on certain data and IT services and software publishing, such as data processing, hosting and computer systems design.

When is Maryland tax-free week?

Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week is held in August. In 2026 it ran from 9 to 15 August and covered clothing and footwear priced at $100 or less per item.

What is the sales tax rate in Maryland in 2026?

The statewide rate is 6%. There are no local sales taxes, so 6% is the rate everywhere in the state.

How do I calculate Maryland sales tax on a purchase?

Add the state and local rates, then multiply the price by that rate as a decimal. At 6%, tax on $100 is 100 × 0.06 = $6.00, for a total of $106.00. To go back from a receipt total, divide it by 1 plus the rate.