Connecticut's sales tax rate and what it covers
Connecticut's statewide sales tax is 6.35 percent. This applies to most goods you buy in stores, online, and through mail order. Some towns add a local tax on top of the state rate — usually between 0.5 and 1.25 percent — so your total tax can range from 6.35 to 7.6 percent depending on where you shop.
The state rate has been 6.35 percent since 2011. When you see a price tag, that amount does not include sales tax — the tax is added at checkout. If you buy something for $100, you will pay between $106.35 and $107.60 in total, depending on your town.
Key Takeaways
- Connecticut's state sales tax is 6.35 percent, and some towns add 0.5 to 1.25 percent on top of that.
- Sales tax applies to most physical goods but not to groceries, prescription medications, or most services.
- Your total tax rate depends on which town you make the purchase in, not where you live.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers are subject to Connecticut sales tax if the seller has a physical presence in the state.
Which items are taxed and which are not
Not everything you buy is subject to sales tax in Connecticut. Groceries — food you cook at home — are tax-free. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and frozen foods. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed, even if you take them home.
Prescription medications are not taxed. Over-the-counter drugs like pain relievers and cold medicine are taxed. Medical devices prescribed by a doctor — such as diabetic supplies or hearing aids — are usually tax-free, but you may need to show a prescription.
Services are generally not taxed in Connecticut. Haircuts, car repairs, plumbing work, and medical visits do not have sales tax added. However, if you buy a product as part of that service — like paint during a painting job — the product itself may be taxed.
Clothing and shoes are taxed. Books are taxed. Gasoline is taxed. Utilities like electricity and water are taxed.
Local sales tax by town
Connecticut allows towns to add their own sales tax on top of the state rate. Not all towns do this, and the rates vary. Some towns charge no local tax, while others charge up to 1.25 percent. Your total rate depends entirely on which town you make the purchase in — not where you live.
If you live in one town but shop in another, you pay that other town's combined rate. A purchase in Stamford may have a different total tax than the same purchase in Hartford. To find your town's local rate, contact your town's tax assessor's office or check the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services website, which lists rates by municipality.
How sales tax works on online and mail orders
Connecticut requires sales tax on online purchases made from sellers who have a physical presence in the state — such as a warehouse, office, or store location. If you order from an out-of-state seller with no Connecticut location, they are not required to collect Connecticut sales tax at checkout.
However, Connecticut residents are technically responsible for paying "use tax" on untaxed out-of-state purchases. Use tax is the same rate as sales tax and applies to goods you bring into the state or have delivered here. In practice, most individuals do not pay use tax on personal purchases, but it is a legal obligation.
Large online retailers like Amazon collect Connecticut sales tax on most items because they have warehouses or operations in the state. Smaller sellers may not, depending on their business structure.
What happens if you do not pay sales tax
As a customer, you are not responsible for enforcing sales tax collection — that is the seller's job. If a seller fails to collect tax they should have collected, the state pursues the seller, not you. You pay what the register shows.
If you are a business owner or operate a side business, you are responsible for collecting and remitting sales tax on taxable sales. Failure to do so can result in penalties and interest. If you run a business in Connecticut, you need a sales tax permit from the Department of Revenue Services.
Sales tax on specific items people often ask about
Clothing: All clothing and footwear are taxed, including socks, underwear, and accessories like belts and hats.
Diapers and feminine hygiene products: These are taxed in Connecticut. Some states have removed tax on these items, but Connecticut has not.
Alcohol: Beer, wine, and spirits are subject to sales tax in addition to excise taxes specific to alcohol.
Cigarettes and vaping products: These are taxed, plus they carry additional state excise taxes.
Gift cards: The card itself is not taxed, but when you use it to buy a taxable item, that item is taxed normally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Connecticut tax groceries?
No. Food you buy to cook at home — including produce, meat, dairy, bread, and frozen meals — is not taxed. Restaurant meals and prepared foods from delis or bakeries are taxed, even if you take them home.
What is the difference between sales tax and use tax?
Sales tax is collected by the seller at the point of sale. Use tax is a tax on goods you buy out of state and bring into Connecticut, at the same rate as sales tax. Residents are responsible for paying use tax on untaxed purchases, though it is rarely enforced for personal items.
Do I pay sales tax on services like haircuts or car repairs?
No. Services are not taxed in Connecticut. However, if you buy a product as part of the service — like a haircut plus a hair product the stylist sells you — the product is taxed.
Why does my total tax rate vary depending on where I shop?
Connecticut allows towns to add local sales tax on top of the 6.35 percent state rate. Some towns add 0.5 to 1.25 percent. Your tax rate is based on the town where you make the purchase, not where you live.
Do I have to pay sales tax on online purchases from out-of-state sellers?
Only if the seller has a physical presence in Connecticut. Large retailers like Amazon do because they have warehouses here. Smaller sellers without a Connecticut location are not required to collect it, though you are technically responsible for use tax on those purchases.