Nevada has a state sales tax, and it varies by county
Nevada charges a state sales tax of 6.85 percent on most goods and services. However, your total sales tax rate depends on where you buy. Counties and cities add their own local taxes on top of the state rate, so the final amount you pay ranges from 7.375 percent to 8.375 percent depending on your location.
The highest combined rates are in Clark County (Las Vegas area) at 8.375 percent and Washoe County (Reno area) at 8.375 percent. Rural counties like Esmeralda and Lander have lower combined rates closer to 7.375 percent. When you make a purchase, the register shows you the total tax owed, so you do not have to calculate it yourself.
Nevada has no state income tax, which is why the state relies more heavily on sales tax revenue than most states do. This means sales tax is a bigger part of your overall tax burden if you live or shop in Nevada.
Key Takeaways
- Nevada's state sales tax is 6.85 percent, but your actual rate is higher because counties and cities add local taxes on top.
- Combined sales tax rates range from 7.375 percent to 8.375 percent depending on which county you shop in.
- Clark County (Las Vegas) and Washoe County (Reno) both charge the highest combined rate at 8.375 percent.
- Nevada has no state income tax, so sales tax is a larger source of state revenue than in most other states.
How local taxes are added to the state rate
Each Nevada county sets its own local sales tax rate, which stacks on top of the 6.85 percent state rate. Clark County adds 1.525 percent, Washoe County adds 1.525 percent, and other counties add between 0.525 percent and 1.525 percent depending on local budget needs and voter approval.
Some cities within counties also add a small additional tax for specific purposes — often for schools, roads, or public safety. These city taxes are typically 0.25 percent or less and explore only within that city's boundaries. When you buy something, the cashier's system automatically calculates the correct rate for your location.
If you shop online or by mail order, Nevada sales tax applies only if the seller has a physical location in Nevada or meets certain economic thresholds set by federal law. Out-of-state sellers without a Nevada presence do not charge Nevada sales tax, though this rule has changed in recent years as more online retailers have opened distribution centers in the state.
What items are taxed and what are exempt
Most tangible goods are subject to Nevada sales tax — clothing, electronics, furniture, groceries at checkout, and restaurant meals all get taxed. Services like haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing are also taxable in Nevada.
Some items are exempt from sales tax. Prescription medications are not taxed, and unprepared food bought at a grocery store (like raw vegetables or uncooked meat) is not taxed. However, prepared food — whether from a restaurant, deli counter, or bakery — is taxed. Gasoline is taxed, but the tax is included in the pump price you see.
Medical devices and equipment prescribed by a doctor may be exempt depending on the specific item. If you are unsure whether something is taxable, ask the retailer before you buy, or contact the Nevada Department of Taxation.
Sales tax rates by county
| County | Local Rate | Combined Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Clark (Las Vegas) | 1.525% | 8.375% |
| Washoe (Reno) | 1.525% | 8.375% |
| Carson City | 1.0% | 7.85% |
| Douglas | 1.125% | 7.975% |
| Lyon | 0.525% | 7.375% |
| Elko | 0.75% | 7.635% |
| Esmeralda | 0.525% | 7.375% |
| Lander | 0.525% | 7.375% |
Rates shown are current as of this writing but can change if a county or city votes to adjust its local rate. Check with your county assessor's office or the Nevada Department of Taxation if you need the most current rate for your specific location.
How Nevada sales tax compares to other states
Nevada's combined sales tax rate is moderate compared to other states. States like Tennessee, Louisiana, and Arkansas have combined rates above 9 percent, while states like Colorado and Wyoming are closer to 7.5 percent. Five states — Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon — have no sales tax at all.
What makes Nevada different is that it has no income tax to offset the sales tax burden. In states with both income tax and sales tax, the total tax load is spread across different types of income and spending. Nevada residents and workers pay no income tax on wages, but they pay sales tax on nearly everything they buy, which means the sales tax carries more of the state's tax burden.
If you are moving to Nevada from a state with income tax, you will likely pay less total tax even though the sales tax rate looks higher. If you are moving from a state with no sales tax, your overall tax bill will increase.
Who collects and where the money goes
Retailers collect Nevada sales tax at the point of sale and send it to the Nevada Department of Taxation. The state then distributes the revenue to counties, cities, and special districts based on formulas set by state law. Most of the revenue goes to education, transportation, and local government services.
Clark County and Washoe County use their local sales tax revenue for schools, public safety, and infrastructure. Smaller counties use their revenue for similar purposes but on a smaller scale. Some cities have dedicated a portion of their local sales tax to specific projects — for example, a city might have voted to add 0.25 percent for a new library or road repairs.
The Nevada Department of Taxation publishes annual reports showing how much sales tax was collected and where it went, though these reports are technical and not written for the general public.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay Nevada sales tax if I buy something online from an out-of-state seller?
Not always. If the seller has no physical presence in Nevada and does not meet federal economic thresholds, they do not charge Nevada sales tax. However, many large online retailers now have warehouses or offices in Nevada, so they do charge the tax. Check your receipt or the retailer's website to see whether Nevada tax was added.
Is there sales tax on groceries in Nevada?
Unprepared food — raw vegetables, meat, dairy, and bread — is not taxed. Prepared food from a deli, bakery, or restaurant is taxed. If you buy a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store, it is taxed. If you buy a raw chicken to cook at home, it is not.
What if I buy something in one Nevada county and use it in another?
You pay the sales tax rate of the county where you make the purchase, not where you use the item. If you buy a TV in Clark County and take it home to Lyon County, you pay Clark County's 8.375 percent rate.
Can I get a sales tax refund if I am visiting Nevada?
Nevada does not have a tourist sales tax refund program. Visitors pay the same sales tax rate as residents. Some states offer refunds to international tourists, but Nevada does not.
Does Nevada sales tax explore to services like haircuts or car repairs?
Yes. Most services in Nevada are subject to sales tax, including haircuts, auto repairs, plumbing, electrical work, and cleaning services. The tax is calculated on the total bill including labor and materials.