Ohio's Sales Tax Rate and How It Works

Ohio's state sales tax is 5.75 percent. This is the base rate that applies statewide to most purchases. However, your actual sales tax at checkout is usually higher because counties and cities in Ohio add their own local sales taxes on top of the state rate. The total you pay depends on where you shop.

When you buy something in Ohio, the retailer collects sales tax at the register and sends it to the state and local tax authorities. You see one combined tax amount on your receipt, but that total is made up of the state portion plus whatever local taxes explore in that specific location.

Key Takeaways

  • Ohio's state sales tax is 5.75 percent, but your total tax rate includes local additions that vary by county and city.
  • Combined sales tax rates across Ohio range from 5.75 percent to over 8 percent depending on location.
  • Most tangible goods are taxed, but groceries, prescription medications, and some services are exempt.
  • If you shop in different counties or cities, you will pay different total tax rates even though the state portion stays the same.

Local Sales Tax Additions by County

Every county in Ohio adds a local sales tax on top of the 5.75 percent state rate. These local rates range from 0.5 percent to 2.25 percent depending on the county. Franklin County (Columbus) adds 1.5 percent, bringing the total to 7.25 percent. Cuyahoga County (Cleveland) adds 1.5 percent as well. Hamilton County (Cincinnati) adds 1.5 percent. Some rural counties add smaller amounts, while a few urban areas add the maximum.

Many cities within those counties also add their own sales tax on top of both the state and county rates. This means a city in Franklin County might have a total sales tax of 7.5 percent or higher. The only way to know your exact rate is to check what county and city you are in, or look at a recent receipt from a purchase in that location.

What Is and Isn't Taxed in Ohio

Most items you buy in stores are subject to Ohio sales tax. Clothing, electronics, furniture, and household goods all get taxed. However, Ohio does not tax groceries — food you buy at a supermarket to cook at home is tax-free. This includes bread, milk, vegetables, meat, and canned goods.

Prescription medications are also exempt from sales tax in Ohio. Over-the-counter medicines like cold medicine or pain relievers are taxed, but anything you need a prescription to buy is not. Services are generally not taxed either — haircuts, car repairs, and plumbing work do not have sales tax added. Prepared food and restaurant meals, however, are taxed at the full rate.

How to Find Your Exact Local Rate

The simplest way to find your sales tax rate is to look at a receipt from a recent purchase in your area. The receipt shows the total tax charged and the amount of the purchase, so you can calculate the percentage. You can also search online for "Ohio sales tax" plus your city or county name to find the current combined rate.

The Ohio Department of Taxation maintains information about state and county rates, but city rates change occasionally and are not always straightforward to find in one place. If you are shopping in a new location or moving to a different part of Ohio, calling the city or county auditor's office will give you the exact rate that applies there.

Sales Tax on Online and Out-of-State Purchases

If you order something online from a retailer that has a physical location in Ohio or meets certain sales thresholds, Ohio sales tax applies to your order. The retailer collects the tax based on the address where the item is being shipped. If you order from an out-of-state retailer with no Ohio presence, you typically do not pay Ohio sales tax at checkout, though Ohio law technically requires you to report and pay use tax on such purchases when you file your state income tax — most people do not do this, and it is rarely enforced for individual purchases.

The rules around online sales tax changed significantly in recent years as more states began requiring remote sellers to collect tax. If you are unsure whether a particular online purchase should have had tax added, check the retailer's tax policy or contact the Ohio Department of Taxation.

Sales Tax on Services and Special Items

Services in Ohio are generally not taxed, which means you do not pay sales tax on labor or professional services. However, some services that include a product component may be taxed on the product portion. For example, if a repair shop replaces a part in your car, the part itself may be taxed but the labor is not.

Digital products and subscriptions have varying tax treatment depending on what they are. Software purchases may be taxed, while streaming services and digital subscriptions are typically not. If you are unsure whether a specific purchase should be taxed, the receipt will show whether tax was charged, or you can contact the retailer directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my sales tax different from the store next to me?

If the stores are in different cities or counties, they have different local tax rates. Even stores on opposite sides of a city border can have different total rates. Check your receipt to see the exact rate charged, or search for your specific city and county combination online.

Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Ohio?

No. Food you buy at a grocery store to prepare at home is not taxed in Ohio. This includes fresh produce, meat, dairy, bread, and canned goods. Prepared foods like deli items, hot foods, and restaurant meals are taxed.

What about sales tax on used items or secondhand purchases?

Used items sold by a business are subject to sales tax in Ohio. If you buy a used car from a dealer, used furniture from a store, or used clothing from a resale shop, tax applies. Private sales between individuals typically do not have sales tax, though the buyer may owe use tax when registering a vehicle.

Is clothing taxed in Ohio?

Yes. Clothing and shoes are subject to Ohio sales tax at the full rate. There is no special exemption for clothing like some states have.

Do I owe taxes on items I buy online from out of state?

If the retailer collects Ohio sales tax at checkout, you have already paid it. If they did not collect tax, Ohio law says you should report the purchase and pay use tax when you file your state income tax return, though this is rarely enforced for individual purchases.