San Antonio's Combined Sales Tax Rate

The total sales tax in San Antonio is 8.25 percent. This rate combines the Texas state sales tax of 6.25 percent with the Bexar County local sales tax of 2 percent. When you buy something in San Antonio, the seller adds 8.25 cents to every dollar of the purchase price.

San Antonio's rate is higher than the state minimum because Bexar County voters approved a local sales tax increase. The county portion funds public services including transportation, public safety, and infrastructure. This combined rate applies to most purchases within the city limits and unincorporated Bexar County.

Key Takeaways

  • San Antonio's sales tax is 8.25 percent, made up of 6.25 percent state tax and 2 percent local county tax.
  • The local 2 percent tax was approved by Bexar County voters and funds county services and infrastructure.
  • Different categories of goods and services are taxed differently — groceries and prescription medications are not taxed, but prepared food and restaurant meals are.
  • Sales tax is collected by the seller at the point of purchase and sent to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.

What Is and Isn't Taxed in Texas

Not everything you buy in San Antonio is subject to the 8.25 percent rate. Groceries — unprepared food you cook at home — are not taxed in Texas. This includes items like bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and food eaten on premises are fully taxed.

Prescription medications are also exempt from sales tax in Texas. Over-the-counter medicines like pain relievers, cold medicine, and vitamins are taxed normally. Medical equipment and supplies vary — some are taxed and some are not depending on the specific item and how it is classified.

Clothing and shoes are taxed at the full 8.25 percent rate in San Antonio. Services like haircuts, repairs, and professional labor are generally taxed. Digital goods, streaming subscriptions, and software downloads are taxed as well.

How Sales Tax Is Collected and Reported

The seller collects sales tax at the time of purchase. When you buy an item for $100, the store adds $8.25 and charges you $108.25. The seller is responsible for collecting this tax and sending it to the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, which is the state agency that oversees tax collection.

Sellers report and pay sales tax on a monthly or quarterly basis, depending on how much tax they collect. Large retailers report monthly; smaller businesses may report quarterly. The Comptroller then distributes the tax revenue — the state keeps its 6.25 percent portion and sends the 2 percent local portion to Bexar County.

Sales Tax on Online and Out-of-State Purchases

If you order something online from a retailer that has a physical location in Texas or meets certain sales thresholds, sales tax is usually added to your order. Large online retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target collect and remit Texas sales tax on purchases shipped to San Antonio addresses.

Smaller online sellers may not collect Texas sales tax, even though you technically owe it. Texas law requires you to report unpaid sales tax on your personal tax return, though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases. If you are a business owner buying inventory or resale goods, you can use a resale certificate to avoid paying sales tax at the time of purchase.

Sales Tax Differences Across Bexar County

The 8.25 percent rate applies throughout Bexar County, including San Antonio and unincorporated areas. However, some smaller cities within Bexar County have their own additional local sales taxes. For example, some municipalities have approved additional taxes for specific purposes like public transportation or economic development.

If you are shopping in a city outside Bexar County — such as New Braunfels or Boerne — the sales tax rate will be different. New Braunfels has a combined rate of 8.25 percent, while Boerne's rate is 8.375 percent. Always check the rate for the specific location where you are making a purchase.

Understanding Your Receipt

When you receive a receipt from a San Antonio store, the sales tax should be clearly listed as a separate line item. The receipt shows the subtotal (the price before tax), the sales tax amount, and the total amount you paid. If you are making a large purchase or buying for a business, keep your receipt to document the tax paid.

Some receipts break down the tax into state and local portions, though most straightforward show the combined 8.25 percent. If you notice the tax charged does not match 8.25 percent of the subtotal, the item may be in a category that is taxed differently or exempt from tax. Groceries and prescription medications on a receipt should show zero tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the 8.25 percent sales tax the same everywhere in San Antonio?

Yes, the 8.25 percent rate applies throughout San Antonio and unincorporated Bexar County. Some smaller cities within the county may have slightly different rates if they have approved additional local taxes, but San Antonio proper uses 8.25 percent.

Why is San Antonio's sales tax higher than other Texas cities?

San Antonio's rate is higher because Bexar County voters approved a 2 percent local sales tax in addition to the state's 6.25 percent. This local tax funds county services. Other Texas counties have different local tax rates depending on what their voters have approved.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in San Antonio?

No. Unprepared groceries like bread, milk, vegetables, and meat are not taxed in Texas. However, prepared foods, restaurant meals, and food eaten on premises are taxed at the full 8.25 percent rate.

Do online purchases from out-of-state sellers include San Antonio sales tax?

Large online retailers collect and remit Texas sales tax on orders shipped to San Antonio. Smaller sellers may not. Technically you owe the tax even if it is not collected, though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases.

What should I do if I think I was charged the wrong sales tax?

Check your receipt to see if the item is in a tax-exempt category like groceries or prescription medications. If the tax appears incorrect for a taxable item, contact the store. If you believe a systematic error occurred, you can file a complaint with the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.