Connecticut's current sales tax rate is 6.35 percent

Connecticut charges 6.35 percent sales tax on most purchases. This is the statewide rate that applies when you buy taxable goods at a store, online, or through mail order. The rate has been in place since July 2011.

Some cities and towns do not add a local sales tax on top of the state rate, which means you pay exactly 6.35 percent in those places. A few municipalities have negotiated local options taxes that add 0.25 percent or 0.5 percent, bringing the total to 6.6 percent or 6.85 percent in those specific areas. Your receipt will show the exact rate charged at the point of sale.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut's statewide sales tax is 6.35 percent on most goods and services.
  • A small number of towns have added local option taxes of 0.25 or 0.5 percent, so the total can reach 6.6 or 6.85 percent in those areas.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical equipment are exempt from sales tax in Connecticut.
  • The tax applies to online purchases and mail orders the same way it applies to in-store purchases.

What is and is not taxed in Connecticut

Not everything you buy is subject to the 6.35 percent rate. Groceries — food you prepare at home — are not taxed. Restaurant meals, prepared foods, and food eaten on premises are taxed. Prescription medications are exempt, but over-the-counter drugs and vitamins are taxed.

Medical equipment used by people with disabilities, such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, and oxygen equipment, is exempt from sales tax. Clothing and footwear are taxed. Services like haircuts, repairs, and labor are generally taxed, though some services have specific exemptions. The difference between a service and a product matters: if you buy a lightbulb, you pay tax; if an electrician installs it as part of a repair job, the labor portion may be taxed differently depending on the contract.

How local option taxes work in Connecticut towns

A handful of Connecticut municipalities have voted to add a local option tax on top of the state rate. These towns use the extra revenue for local projects and services. If you live in or shop in one of these towns, the total tax you pay will be higher than 6.35 percent.

The towns that have adopted local option taxes are limited in number, and the additional rate is either 0.25 percent or 0.5 percent. Your receipt will always show the total rate applied. If you are unsure whether your town has a local option tax, you can check with your town's tax assessor's office or look at a recent receipt from a local purchase.

Sales tax on online and mail orders

Connecticut requires sales tax to be collected on online purchases and mail orders, just as it is on in-store purchases. If you order from a retailer that has a physical location in Connecticut or meets certain sales thresholds, the retailer must collect and remit the 6.35 percent state tax (plus any local option tax if applicable).

Large online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target collect Connecticut sales tax on orders shipped to Connecticut addresses. Smaller retailers may not collect the tax at checkout, but Connecticut residents are technically responsible for reporting and paying use tax on untaxed purchases when they file their state income tax return. In practice, most people do not report these amounts, but the obligation exists.

Sales tax on vehicles and special items

Motor vehicles are subject to sales tax in Connecticut, but the rate and rules are different from regular purchases. When you buy a car, the tax is calculated on the purchase price, and you pay it at the time of registration with the Department of Motor Vehicles. The rate is the same 6.35 percent statewide rate.

If you trade in a vehicle, the sales tax is applied only to the difference between the new vehicle's price and the trade-in value, not the full purchase price. Boats and aircraft have their own registration and tax rules. Cigarettes and alcohol are subject to sales tax plus additional excise taxes that are separate from the sales tax rate.

When sales tax changed in Connecticut

The current 6.35 percent rate has been in effect since July 1, 2011. Before that date, Connecticut's sales tax was 6 percent. The increase was part of a broader state budget adjustment and has remained stable for over a decade.

Connecticut has not raised the statewide sales tax rate since 2011, though individual towns have voted to add local option taxes in the years since. If you are comparing your current tax burden to an older receipt or document, keep in mind that the rate may have been different at that time.

How to find the exact rate for your location

The easiest way to find your exact sales tax rate is to look at a recent receipt from a purchase in your town. The total tax rate will be printed on it. If you do not have a receipt, contact your town's tax assessor's office — they maintain records of which towns have local option taxes and can tell you the exact rate that applies in your area.

You can also call the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services at 860-297-5962 to ask about the rate in a specific town. When you call, have your town name ready. The department can confirm whether your town has a local option tax and what the total rate is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Connecticut?

No. Food you buy to prepare at home is exempt from sales tax. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and other unprepared groceries. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and food eaten on premises are taxed at the full rate.

What is the sales tax rate if I live in a town with a local option tax?

The total rate will be either 6.6 percent or 6.85 percent, depending on whether your town added 0.25 or 0.5 percent. Only a small number of towns have adopted local option taxes. Check your most recent receipt or call your town's tax assessor to confirm.

Do I have to pay sales tax when I buy something online from out of state?

If the retailer has a physical presence in Connecticut or meets certain sales thresholds, they must collect Connecticut sales tax. Large retailers almost always do. Smaller retailers may not, but Connecticut residents are technically responsible for reporting untaxed purchases on their state tax return.

Is sales tax included in the price shown on the price tag?

No. The price tag shows the pre-tax price. Sales tax is added at checkout. The total you pay will be the price plus 6.35 percent (or higher if your town has a local option tax).

Do I pay sales tax when I buy a used car from a private seller?

Yes. When you register the vehicle with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, you pay sales tax on the purchase price. If you trade in a vehicle, the tax applies only to the difference between the new price and the trade-in value.