Massachusetts Sales Tax Rate Table
Massachusetts statewide sales tax rate: 6.25%. There are no local sales taxes in Massachusetts, so 6.25% applies statewide. Massachusetts’s sales tax is administered by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue.
Rates reviewed August 2026. State rates reflect statutory rates in effect as of July 1, 2026. Local rates change frequently — always confirm the rate for the exact delivery address before you file.
Massachusetts Sales Tax Rates at a Glance
| Statewide sales tax rate | 6.25% |
|---|---|
| Local sales taxes | No local sales taxes |
| Average local rate | None |
| Average combined rate | 6.25% |
| Administered by | Massachusetts Department of Revenue |
| Registration document | Massachusetts Sales and Use Tax Registration Certificate |
| Rate data reviewed | August 2026 |
How Local Sales Tax Works in Massachusetts
Massachusetts has no local sales tax on general retail sales, so the 6.25% state rate applies statewide. Cities and towns may adopt a separate local option meals tax and a local room occupancy excise, but those apply to restaurant meals and lodging rather than to general retail.
Which Massachusetts Rate Should You Charge?
With one statewide rate there is nothing to source at the local level for retail goods. If you sell prepared meals, check whether the municipality has adopted the local option meals tax.
What Massachusetts Taxes — and What It Doesn’t
Groceries for home consumption and prescription drugs are exempt. Clothing is exempt up to a per-item threshold, with tax applying only to the amount above it — an unusual rule that catches out sellers of higher-priced apparel. Most services are untaxed.
Look Up an Exact Massachusetts Sales Tax Rate
Publishing a fixed list of every Massachusetts city and county rate would be out of date within weeks, so we do not reproduce one here. The Department of Revenue publishes the statewide rate together with the local option meals tax list. Open the official Massachusetts Department of Revenue website at www.mass.gov/orgs/massachusetts-department-of-revenue and use its rate lookup for the exact delivery address.
Registering to Collect Sales Tax in Massachusetts
Before you can legally charge Massachusetts sales tax you need to be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue and hold a Massachusetts Sales and Use Tax Registration Certificate. Our sales tax application service files the paperwork for you. See the Massachusetts sales tax application page for what Massachusetts asks for. The Massachusetts sales tax guide covers filing frequency, agency contacts and licensing.
Ready to register in Massachusetts? Apply for your Massachusetts sales tax permit online – it only takes a few minutes.
Massachusetts Sales Tax Rate FAQs
What is the sales tax rate in Massachusetts?
The Massachusetts statewide rate is 6.25%. No local sales taxes apply, so 6.25% is the rate everywhere in the state.
Do I need a permit before I collect sales tax in Massachusetts?
Yes. Collecting sales tax without a valid Massachusetts Sales and Use Tax Registration Certificate is not permitted in Massachusetts. Register first, then start charging tax. You can apply for your Massachusetts sales tax permit here.
Do remote and online sellers have to collect Massachusetts sales tax?
Generally yes, once you cross Massachusetts’s economic nexus threshold or have a physical presence in the state. Marketplace facilitators such as Amazon and Etsy usually collect on their own sales, but sales through your own website normally remain your responsibility. See our sales tax registration overview for how nexus works.
How often do Massachusetts sales tax rates change?
The statewide rate changes rarely and there are no local rates to track. Confirm the current rate with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue before filing a return.
Sales Tax Rates in Other States
Compare every state on our state sales and use tax rate hub, or check a neighbouring state:
- Rhode Island sales tax rate table
- Connecticut sales tax rate table
- New Hampshire sales tax rate table
- New York sales tax rate table
Need to check a number you already have? Use our sales tax number verification page.