Yes, Las Vegas has sales tax, and it is among the highest in the country
Las Vegas charges sales tax on most retail purchases, groceries, and services. The combined rate is 8.375 percent as of 2024, made up of Nevada's state sales tax (6.85 percent) plus Clark County's local tax (1.525 percent). This rate applies to purchases made within Clark County, which includes Las Vegas and the surrounding area.
The rate you pay depends on exactly where you buy something. Some unincorporated areas of Clark County have slightly different local rates, but the 8.375 percent figure covers Las Vegas proper and most of the metro area where visitors and residents shop.
Key Takeaways
- Las Vegas sales tax is 8.375 percent, combining Nevada state tax (6.85 percent) and Clark County local tax (1.525 percent).
- Sales tax applies to groceries, clothing, restaurant meals, and most services, but not to prescription medications or certain medical equipment.
- Hotel rooms in Las Vegas are subject to a separate room tax of 12 percent, which is added to your bill separately from sales tax.
- Nevada has no income tax, so sales tax is the primary way the state and county fund services.
- Tax rates can vary slightly in other Nevada cities, so if you are shopping outside Las Vegas, confirm the local rate first.
What items are taxed and what are not
Most things you buy in Las Vegas are taxed at the standard 8.375 percent rate. This includes clothing, electronics, restaurant meals (both dine-in and takeout), and most services like haircuts or car repairs.
Some items are exempt from sales tax. Prescription medications are not taxed. Certain medical devices and equipment prescribed by a doctor are also exempt. Groceries—items you buy at a supermarket to cook at home—are generally not taxed, but prepared foods and items from a deli counter are taxed as restaurant meals.
The line between grocery and prepared food can be unclear. A rotisserie chicken from a grocery store deli is taxed. A loaf of bread is not. If you are unsure whether a specific item will be taxed, ask the cashier before you pay.
Hotel room tax is separate from sales tax
If you are staying in a Las Vegas hotel, you will see two different charges on your bill. The room tax (also called occupancy tax) is 12 percent and applies only to your nightly room rate. Sales tax does not explore to the room itself, but it does explore to other hotel charges like resort fees, parking, or food you buy at the hotel restaurant.
The 12 percent room tax is one of the reasons Las Vegas hotel bills can feel expensive. It is added to your final bill and is separate from any sales tax you pay on meals or purchases within the hotel.
Why Nevada has high sales tax but no income tax
Nevada has no state income tax. This means the state does not tax wages, salaries, or investment income the way most other states do. Instead, Nevada funds schools, roads, and public services largely through sales tax and other consumption taxes.
This trade-off means visitors and residents pay more at the register but keep more of their paychecks. If you live in Nevada, you will not file a state income tax return. If you are visiting from another state, you may notice the sales tax is higher than you are used to, but you will not owe Nevada income tax on money you earn while you are there.
Sales tax on services and professional work
Services are taxed in Nevada, though not all of them. A haircut, massage, or car repair is taxed at 8.375 percent. Dry cleaning is taxed. Labor charges on appliance repairs are taxed.
Some professional services are exempt. Legal information, accounting services, and medical services (like a doctor visit) are generally not taxed. If you hire a contractor to build or repair something in your home, the labor is usually taxed, but materials may be handled differently depending on how the invoice is structured. Ask your contractor how tax will be applied to your bill.
Online purchases and out-of-state sellers
If you order something online from a seller outside Nevada, you may or may not pay Nevada sales tax depending on where the seller is located and how they operate. Large retailers like Amazon now collect Nevada sales tax on most purchases shipped to Nevada addresses. Smaller sellers may not.
Nevada does not require you to pay "use tax" on personal purchases you bring into the state, so you will not be charged extra at the border or when you register a car you bought elsewhere. However, if you buy something online and have it shipped to a Nevada address, the seller should charge you Nevada sales tax if they have a physical presence in the state or meet certain sales thresholds.
How to calculate the total cost of a purchase
To find the final price of something you are buying, multiply the price by 1.08375. A $100 item will cost $108.38 after tax. A $50 meal will cost $54.19.
Price tags in Las Vegas stores show the pre-tax price, so the amount you pay at the register will always be higher than the tag. This is different from some countries where the displayed price includes tax. Budget for the full amount including tax when you are shopping or dining.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is sales tax the same everywhere in Las Vegas?
The rate is 8.375 percent in Las Vegas and most of Clark County. A few unincorporated areas outside the city limits may have slightly different local rates, but the difference is small. If you are shopping in the main Las Vegas area, use 8.375 percent.
Do I pay sales tax on groceries?
Unprepared groceries—bread, milk, vegetables, raw meat—are not taxed. Prepared foods from a deli counter, hot foods, and items from a grocery store restaurant are taxed. When in doubt, ask the cashier before you pay.
What is the difference between sales tax and room tax?
Sales tax (8.375 percent) applies to most purchases. Room tax (12 percent) applies only to hotel room rates and is a separate charge. Both may appear on your hotel bill, but they are calculated on different things.
Do I owe Nevada income tax if I work here?
No. Nevada has no state income tax, so you will not owe income tax on wages earned in Nevada, regardless of where you live. You may still owe income tax to your home state if you are not a Nevada resident.
Will I pay sales tax on an online order shipped to Las Vegas?
Most large online retailers now collect Nevada sales tax on orders shipped to Nevada addresses. Smaller sellers may not. The seller's location and size determine whether they are required to charge you tax.