Connecticut's Sales Tax Rate

Connecticut has a 6.35% sales tax on most goods and services. This rate applies statewide and does not vary by city or town — you pay the same percentage whether you shop in Hartford, New Haven, or Stamford.

The 6.35% figure combines the state sales tax (6%) with a dedicated tax on certain goods (0.35%). When you buy something at a store or online, the retailer adds this full amount to your bill at checkout.

Key Takeaways

  • Connecticut's sales tax is 6.35% on most purchases, applied uniformly across the entire state.
  • Groceries, prescription medications, and medical devices are exempt from sales tax in Connecticut.
  • Clothing and footwear under $110 per item are tax-free, but items above that threshold are taxed at the full rate.
  • Services like haircuts, repairs, and labor are generally not subject to sales tax unless they are bundled with taxable goods.
  • Online purchases from out-of-state retailers are subject to Connecticut sales tax if the seller has a physical presence or meets economic thresholds in the state.

What Is and Isn't Taxed in Connecticut

Not everything you buy in Connecticut is subject to the 6.35% tax. Food purchased for home consumption — bread, milk, vegetables, frozen dinners — is exempt. Prescription medications and certain medical devices, including diabetic supplies and mobility aids, are also tax-free.

Clothing and footwear have a special rule: items priced under $110 are not taxed, but anything above that threshold is taxed at the full 6.35%. This means a $100 pair of shoes costs $100, but a $120 pair costs $127.62. Some retailers split items to keep them below the threshold, though this practice is not permitted under state law.

Services are generally not taxed. A haircut, car repair, or plumbing job does not carry sales tax. However, if a service includes a taxable product — such as parts installed during a repair — the product portion may be taxed.

How the Tax Works on Your Receipt

When you check out at a store, the cashier or system calculates 6.35% of your subtotal and adds it to what you owe. If you buy a $50 item, you pay $53.18. If you buy $100 worth of groceries (which are exempt), you pay exactly $100.

The retailer collects this tax and sends it to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. You do not file anything yourself as a consumer — the tax is handled at the point of sale.

Sales Tax on Online and Out-of-State Purchases

If you order something online from a retailer based outside Connecticut, you may still owe Connecticut sales tax. Large online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have a physical presence in Connecticut or meet the state's economic thresholds, so they collect and remit the tax automatically.

Smaller out-of-state sellers may not collect Connecticut tax at checkout. In those cases, Connecticut law technically requires you to report and pay the tax yourself through your state tax return, though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases. If you are unsure whether tax was collected, check your receipt or the retailer's website.

Special Tax Situations and Exemptions

Certain groups and purchases have additional exemptions. Nonprofit organizations, schools, and government agencies can purchase items tax-free by providing a resale certificate or tax-exempt form. Manufacturers buying materials for production may also be exempt.

Some services and goods are always tax-free: newspapers and periodicals, certain agricultural products when sold directly by the farmer, and utilities in some cases. If you are unsure whether something is taxed, ask the retailer or check the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services website.

How Connecticut's Rate Compares to Nearby States

Connecticut's 6.35% rate is lower than New York (8.875% in most areas) but higher than New Hampshire, which has no sales tax. Massachusetts charges 6.25%, and Rhode Island charges 7%. If you live near a state border, the difference can add up on large purchases, though you are required to pay Connecticut tax on items you bring back into the state.

Some people cross state lines to buy big-ticket items in New Hampshire to avoid sales tax, but Connecticut law requires you to report and pay use tax on those purchases. This is rarely enforced for individuals, but it is technically your responsibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Connecticut?

No. Food purchased for home consumption is exempt from Connecticut sales tax. This includes bread, produce, frozen meals, and dairy products. However, prepared foods — items from a deli counter, restaurant, or hot food bar — are taxed.

Are clothes and shoes always tax-free?

Only if they cost less than $110. Items priced at $110 or more are subject to the full 6.35% sales tax. A $109 shirt is tax-free; a $115 shirt is taxed.

Do I owe sales tax on services like haircuts or repairs?

Services themselves are not taxed in Connecticut. However, if parts or materials are included — such as a new battery installed in a phone — the cost of those materials may be taxed separately.

What if I buy something online from out of state?

Large retailers collect Connecticut sales tax automatically. Smaller sellers may not, in which case you are technically responsible for reporting and paying use tax on your state return, though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases.

Is prescription medication taxed in Connecticut?

No. Prescription medications and certain medical devices, including diabetic supplies and mobility aids, are exempt from Connecticut sales tax.