Missouri sales tax at a glance
| Type of tax | Sales and use tax |
|---|---|
| State rate | 4.225% |
| Local rates | Average 4.22%, highest 6.25% |
| Average combined rate | 8.44% |
| Groceries | 1.225% state + full localFood is taxed at a 1.225% state rate instead of 4.225%, but all local sales taxes apply in full. |
| Prescription drugs | ExemptPrescription drugs are exempt. Over-the-counter drugs are exempt only when a prescription is presented at the sale. |
| Clothing | Taxed (August holiday, $100 cap)Clothing is taxed, except items of $100 or less during the August back-to-school holiday (7 to 9 August in 2026) where the locality takes part. |
Local averages are population-weighted figures from the Tax Foundation: State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 (rates as of 1 July 2026). They are a guide, not the rate at any one address. For the exact rate where you buy, use the MyTax Missouri: Find sales and use tax rates.
Worked examples
$150 of groceries at the average local rate
| Rate | 1.225% grocery + 4.22% local = 5.445% |
|---|---|
| Price before tax | $150.00 |
| Sales tax | $8.17 |
| Total | $158.17 |
Working: $150.00 × 5.445% = $8.17. Groceries pay 1.225% to the state plus the full local rate, so local taxes are most of the bill. A non-food item would pay 3% more.
Working back from a $108.44 total at the 8.44% average
| Rate | 4.225% state + 4.22% local = 8.445% |
|---|---|
| Price before tax | $100.00 |
| Sales tax | $8.44 |
| Total | $108.44 |
Working back: $108.44 ÷ 1.08445 = $100.00, so the tax was $8.44. Dividing by 1.08445 gives the price before tax. In a city with a higher local rate, enter that rate before working back.
What makes up the 4.225%
The state rate is four taxes added together: a 3% general sales tax, 1% for education, 0.125% for conservation and 0.1% for parks and soils. On food, the 3% general part is dropped, which is why groceries pay 1.225% to the state. Local governments can add many kinds of taxes, from county and city general taxes to transportation, capital improvement and community improvement districts, so the rate can change from one shopping center to the next. Use the MyTax Missouri rate search for an exact street address.
Groceries and sales tax holidays
The reduced food rate covers food that can be bought with SNAP benefits, but every local sales tax applies to food at its full rate, so a grocery bill in a 5% local area is taxed at about 6.2%. The reduced rate does not apply at businesses whose ready-to-eat food sales are more than 80% of their receipts. Missouri holds a back-to-school holiday each August (7 to 9 August in 2026) covering clothing up to $100, school supplies up to $50 per purchase and computers up to $1,500, and a Show-Me Green holiday in April for ENERGY STAR appliances.
Missouri vs. neighboring states
| State | State rate | Avg. combined | Groceries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 4.225% | 8.44% | 1.225% state + full local |
| Iowa | 6% | 6.94% | Exempt |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 8.98% | No state tax; local 1% may apply |
| Kentucky | 6% | 6.00% | Exempt |
| Tennessee | 7% | 9.61% | 4% state + local |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | 9.48% | No state tax since 2026; local |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% | 9.06% | No state tax; local applies |
| Kansas | 6.5% | 8.71% | No state tax; local applies |
| Nebraska | 5.5% | 6.98% | Exempt |
Average combined rates are from the Tax Foundation, midyear 2026 report. See sales tax rates for every state for the full table.