Wisconsin Sales Tax Calculator 2026: 5% + Local Rates

Wisconsin Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Wisconsin has a 5% state sales tax, and most counties add a 0.5% county tax, for 5.5% in most of the state. Milwaukee is the exception: Milwaukee County charges 0.9%, and the City of Milwaukee added its own 2% city sales tax in 2024, so purchases in the city are taxed at 7.9%. A few tourist towns add a premier resort area tax. The average combined rate is 5.72%. Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt. Enter your local rate below to add or remove the tax.

By AwaisLast reviewed October 28, 2026

Wisconsin sales tax at a glance

Wisconsin sales tax rules
Type of tax	Sales and use tax
State rate	5%
Local rates	Average 0.72%, highest 2.90%
Average combined rate	5.72%
Groceries	ExemptFood and food ingredients are exempt. Candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements and prepared food are taxable.
Prescription drugs	ExemptPrescription drugs are exempt from Wisconsin sales tax.
Clothing	TaxedClothing is taxed at the full combined rate. Wisconsin has no sales tax holiday.

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 Wisconsin DOR state and local sales tax rate lookup.

Worked examples

A $900 laptop in the City of Milwaukee (7.9%)

A $900 laptop in the City of Milwaukee (7.9%)
Rate	5% state + 2.9% local = 7.9%
Price before tax	$900.00
Sales tax	$71.10
Total	$971.10

Working: $900.00 × 7.9% = $71.10. The local part is 0.9% Milwaukee County plus the 2% city tax. Outside the city, the rate in Milwaukee County drops to 5.9%.

Working back from a $52.75 receipt in a 5.5% county

Working back from a $52.75 receipt in a 5.5% county
Rate	5% state + 0.5% local = 5.5%
Price before tax	$50.00
Sales tax	$2.75
Total	$52.75

Working back: $52.75 ÷ 1.055 = $50.00, so the tax was $2.75. Most counties add 0.5%, so divide by 1.055. In a premier resort area, add the resort tax if the seller charges it.

County, Milwaukee and resort taxes

The Wisconsin Department of Revenue lists a 0.5% county tax in most counties. Milwaukee County charges 0.9%, and since 1 January 2024 the City of Milwaukee charges an extra 2%, giving 7.9% in the city. Some tourist communities levy a premier resort area tax on certain sellers: 0.5% in places such as Sturgeon Bay and Minocqua (both new on 1 July 2026), Ephraim, Sister Bay, Rhinelander, Eagle River and Bayfield, and 1.25% in Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton. The Department's rate lookup returns the right rate for an address.

What is exempt

Wisconsin exempts food and food ingredients bought to prepare at home, but candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements and prepared food, including restaurant meals and hot deli food, are taxable. Prescription drugs are exempt. Clothing and shoes are taxed at the full combined rate, and Wisconsin does not hold a sales tax holiday. Out-of-state purchases that were not taxed are subject to Wisconsin use tax at the same rate.

Wisconsin vs. neighboring states

Wisconsin sales tax compared with neighboring states
State	State rate	Avg. combined	Groceries
Wisconsin	5%	5.72%	Exempt
Minnesota	6.875%	8.14%	Exempt
Iowa	6%	6.94%	Exempt
Illinois	6.25%	8.98%	No state tax; local 1% may apply
Michigan	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

What is the sales tax in Milwaukee?

In the City of Milwaukee it is 7.9%: 5% state, 0.9% Milwaukee County and 2% city tax, which started on 1 January 2024. Elsewhere in Milwaukee County it is 5.9%.

Do all Wisconsin counties charge county sales tax?

Almost all of them. The Department of Revenue lists a 0.5% county tax in 70 counties, plus Milwaukee County at 0.9%, so most of the state pays 5.5%.

What is a premier resort area tax?

An extra local sales tax that certain tourism-based Wisconsin communities charge on some sellers, such as hotels and restaurants. It is 0.5% in most such places and 1.25% in Wisconsin Dells and Lake Delton.

Are groceries taxed in Wisconsin?

No. Food and food ingredients are exempt. Candy, soft drinks, dietary supplements and prepared food, such as restaurant meals, are taxed at the full combined rate.

What is the sales tax rate in Wisconsin in 2026?

The statewide rate is 5%. Local taxes add 0.72% on average and up to 2.90%, so the average combined rate is 5.72% (Tax Foundation, rates as of 1 July 2026).

How do I calculate Wisconsin sales tax on a purchase?

Add the state and local rates, then multiply the price by that rate as a decimal. At 5.72% (the state rate plus the average local rate), tax on $100 is 100 × 0.0572 = $5.72, for a total of $105.72. To go back from a receipt total, divide it by 1 plus the rate.