Vermont Sales Tax Calculator 2026: 6% + Local Rates

Vermont Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Vermont charges a 6% sales tax, and some towns, including Burlington and Winooski, add a 1% local option tax, for 7%. Because most towns do not, the population-weighted average combined rate is 6.43%. Vermont exempts clothing and footwear with no price cap, along with groceries and both prescription and qualifying over-the-counter medicines. Enter 1 or 0 as the local rate below to add the tax to a price or take it out of a receipt.

By AwaisLast reviewed October 28, 2026

Vermont sales tax at a glance

Vermont sales tax rules
Type of tax	Sales and use tax
State rate	6%
Local rates	Average 0.43%, highest 1.00%
Average combined rate	6.43%
Groceries	ExemptFood for home consumption is exempt. Soft drinks and sealed alcoholic beverages are taxable.
Prescription drugs	Exempt (also OTC)Prescription drugs are exempt, and so are qualifying over-the-counter drugs.
Clothing	ExemptClothing and footwear are exempt with no price cap. Sports equipment such as ski boots and cleats is taxable.

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 Vermont Department of Taxes: Local option tax.

Worked examples

A $1,200 laptop in Burlington (7%)

A $1,200 laptop in Burlington (7%)
Rate	6% state + 1% local = 7%
Price before tax	$1,200.00
Sales tax	$84.00
Total	$1,284.00

Working: $1,200.00 × 7% = $84.00. Burlington adds the 1% local option sales tax. A winter coat bought in the same store would be exempt as clothing.

Working back from a $63.60 receipt at 6%

Working back from a $63.60 receipt at 6%
Rate	6%
Price before tax	$60.00
Sales tax	$3.60
Total	$63.60

Working back: $63.60 ÷ 1.06 = $60.00, so the tax was $3.60. Most Vermont towns have no local option sales tax, so divide by 1.06. In a 7% town, divide by 1.07 instead.

The 1% local option tax

Vermont towns can adopt a 1% local option tax on sales, on meals and alcohol, on rooms, or any combination. The sales version applies to the same items as the state sales tax but is not added to use tax. Burlington has had one since 2006 and Winooski since 2019. Seven more towns started on 1 July 2026: Bristol, Fair Haven, Morristown, Pomfret, Swanton, Vergennes and Waitsfield, while Montgomery dropped its tax in October 2025. The Department of Taxes keeps the current list.

Clothing, food and medicine are exempt

Vermont is one of the few states that exempt all everyday clothing and footwear with no price limit. Sports and recreational equipment, such as ski boots and cleats, is taxable. Food for home consumption is exempt, but soft drinks and sealed alcoholic beverages are taxed. Prescription drugs and qualifying over-the-counter medicines are exempt too. Restaurant meals and lodging are taxed under Vermont's separate meals and rooms tax rather than the sales tax.

Vermont vs. neighboring states

Vermont sales tax compared with neighboring states
State	State rate	Avg. combined	Groceries
Vermont	6%	6.43%	Exempt
New Hampshire	0%	0.00%	No sales tax
Massachusetts	6.25%	6.25%	Exempt
New York	4%	8.54%	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

Is clothing taxed in Vermont?

No. Vermont exempts clothing and footwear with no price cap. Sports equipment such as ski boots and cleats is taxable at the normal rate.

Which Vermont towns have a local option sales tax?

Burlington, Winooski and a growing list of towns charge 1%; Bristol, Fair Haven, Morristown, Pomfret, Swanton, Vergennes and Waitsfield joined on 1 July 2026.

Are restaurant meals taxed in Vermont?

Yes, under the separate meals and rooms tax rather than the 6% sales tax. Towns with a local option meals tax add 1% to it.

Are over-the-counter medicines taxed in Vermont?

No. Vermont exempts prescription drugs and qualifying over-the-counter drugs, so most medicines bought at a pharmacy are tax-free.

What is the sales tax rate in Vermont in 2026?

The statewide rate is 6%. Local taxes add 0.43% on average and up to 1.00%, so the average combined rate is 6.43% (Tax Foundation, rates as of 1 July 2026).

How do I calculate Vermont sales tax on a purchase?

Add the state and local rates, then multiply the price by that rate as a decimal. At 6.43% (the state rate plus the average local rate), tax on $100 is 100 × 0.0643 = $6.43, for a total of $106.43. To go back from a receipt total, divide it by 1 plus the rate.