What is the sales tax rate in Wisconsin?

The Wisconsin state sales tax rate is 5.000%. Most Wisconsin counties add a 0.5% county tax, making the typical combined rate 5.5%. Milwaukee County has a higher county tax of 0.9%, and the City of Milwaukee adds an additional 2% city tax.

What is the sales tax rate in Milwaukee?

Milwaukee has the highest sales tax rate in Wisconsin at 7.9%, which combines the 5.000% state rate, 0.9% Milwaukee County tax, and 2% City of Milwaukee tax. The city tax became effective January 1, 2024.

How many Wisconsin counties have a county sales tax?

70 out of 72 Wisconsin counties impose a county sales tax. Most of these counties (69) charge 0.5%, while Milwaukee County charges 0.9%. Only 2 counties have no county sales tax.

Are groceries taxed in Wisconsin?

No, most groceries are exempt from sales tax in Wisconsin. This includes unprepared food items like meat, produce, dairy products, and bakery items. However, prepared foods, soft drinks, candy, and dietary supplements are taxable.

Is clothing taxed in Wisconsin?

Yes, clothing is taxable in Wisconsin. Unlike some neighboring states, Wisconsin does not exempt clothing or footwear from sales tax, regardless of price.

Does Wisconsin have a sales tax holiday?

No, Wisconsin does not currently have any sales tax holidays. Unlike many other states that offer tax-free weekends for back-to-school shopping or other items, Wisconsin has not enacted any sales tax holidays.

When did Wisconsin's sales tax rate last change?

The Wisconsin state sales tax rate has been 5.000% since May 1, 1982—over 40 years of rate stability at the state level. However, local county and city taxes have changed, most recently with Milwaukee's city tax increase in 2024.

Do I pay Wisconsin sales tax on online purchases?

Yes, most online purchases delivered to Wisconsin addresses are subject to Wisconsin sales tax (5.000% state rate plus any applicable county and city taxes). Major online retailers typically collect this tax at checkout.

Sales Tax Calculator

Wisconsin Sales Tax
Calculator

Calculate Wisconsin sales tax instantly for any city. Enter any amount to see the exact tax and total.

State Rate

5.000%

Select City

Amount before tax

About Wisconsin Sales Tax

State rate: 5.000%

Local rate in Milwaukee County: 2.900%

Combined rate in Milwaukee: 7.900%

State Rate

5.000%

County Tax

0.5-0.9%

Milwaukee

7.9%

Milwaukee County

5.900%

Standard Rate

60,325

City	County	Standard Rate	Special District	Population
Milwaukee	Milwaukee	7.900%	Standard Rate	577,222
Green Bay	Brown	5.500%	Standard Rate	107,395
Kenosha	Kenosha	5.500%	Standard Rate	99,986
Racine	Racine	5.500%	Standard Rate	77,816
Appleton	Outagamie	5.500%	Standard Rate	75,644
Waukesha	Waukesha	5.000%	Standard Rate	71,158
Eau Claire	Eau Claire	5.500%	Standard Rate	69,421
Oshkosh	Winnebago	5.000%	Standard Rate	66,816
Janesville	Rock	5.500%	Standard Rate	65,615
West Allis	Milwaukee	5.900%	Standard Rate	60,325
Sheboygan	Sheboygan	5.500%	Standard Rate	49,929
Wauwatosa	Milwaukee	5.900%	Standard Rate	48,387
Fond du Lac	Fond du Lac	5.500%	Standard Rate	44,678
Brookfield	Waukesha	5.000%	Standard Rate	41,464
New Berlin	Waukesha	5.000%	Standard Rate	40,451
Wausau	Marathon	5.500%	Standard Rate	39,994
Menomonee Falls	Waukesha	5.000%	Standard Rate	38,527
Greenfield	Milwaukee	5.900%	Standard Rate	37,803
Franklin	Milwaukee	5.900%	Standard Rate	36,816
Beloit	Rock	5.500%	Standard Rate	36,657
Oak Creek	Milwaukee	5.900%	Standard Rate	36,497
Sun Prairie	Dane	5.500%	Standard Rate	35,967
Manitowoc	Manitowoc	5.500%	Standard Rate	34,626
West Bend	Washington	5.500%	Standard Rate	31,752
Fitchburg	Dane	5.500%	Standard Rate	29,609
Mount Pleasant	Racine	5.500%	Standard Rate	27,732
Neenah	Winnebago	5.000%	Standard Rate	27,319
Madison	Dane	5.500%	Standard Rate	26,984
Superior	Douglas	5.500%	Standard Rate	26,751
La Crosse	La Crosse	5.500%	Standard Rate	5,268

Note: 70 out of 72 Wisconsin counties impose a county sales tax. The City of Milwaukee's 2% city tax became effective January 1, 2024.

How to Calculate Sales Tax in Wisconsin

Sales Tax Calculation

Wisconsin

Example: Milwaukee Purchase

Determine the purchase price

Purchase price (before tax) $500.00

Multiply by the tax rate

$500.00 × 7.9% (0.079)

Sales tax (Milwaukee) $39.50

Add to the original price

$500.00 + $39.50

TOTAL AMOUNT DUE $539.50

Thank you for your purchase

Reverse Calculation

Know the total? Divide by 1.079 (Milwaukee) to find the pre-tax price. Example: $107.90 ÷ 1.079 = $100.00

What's Taxed?

Taxable: Clothing, electronics, furniture

Exempt: Groceries, prescription drugs

Special Wisconsin Sales Tax Rules

County Sales Tax

70 out of 72 Wisconsin counties impose a county sales tax. Most counties (69) charge 0.5%, while Milwaukee County charges 0.9%.

Recent Change: Milwaukee County's county sales tax increased from 0.5% to 0.9% on January 1, 2024, bringing the total county tax to 0.9%.

High-Tax Cities

Milwaukee has the highest rate at 7.9% (5% state + 0.9% county + 2% city). Most other Wisconsin cities have rates between 5.5% and 5.6%.

Tax-Exempt Items

Wisconsin exempts several categories from sales tax

•
Food & Groceries: Most unprepared food items sold for home consumption (prepared foods, candy, and soft drinks are taxable)
•
Prescription Drugs: Medications prescribed by licensed healthcare providers and dispensed by registered pharmacists
•
Manufacturing Equipment: Machinery and equipment used in production
•
Farm Equipment: Agricultural machinery and equipment

Note: Unlike some neighboring states, clothing is NOT exempt in Wisconsin and is subject to the full sales tax rate.

How Wisconsin Compares to Neighboring States

Here's how Wisconsin's sales tax stacks up against nearby states

5.000%

Michigan

6.00%

No local tax

Illinois

6.25%

+ up to 4.75%
local tax

Wisconsin

5.000%

+ 0.5-0.9% county

+ 2% city (Milwaukee only)

40+ years of stability

Iowa

6.00%

+ up to 1%
local tax

Minnesota

6.875%

+ up to 2%
local tax

Remarkable Stability: Wisconsin's state sales tax rate has remained at 5% since May 1, 1982—over 40 years without a change at the state level, making it one of the longest periods of rate stability in the nation.

Got Questions?

Frequently Asked Questions

Wisconsin Sales Tax Rate History

Wisconsin's state sales tax rate has remained remarkably stable at 5% since 1982. Here's the complete history:

Effective Date	Rate	Change	Notes
May 1, 1982 - Present	5.000%	—	Current rate (40+ years of stability)
1969 - April 30, 1982	4.000%	▲ +1.000%	Converted to general tax on property
1962 - 1969	3.000%	—	First imposed as selective tax

Local Tax Changes: While the state rate has been stable since 1982, county and city taxes have changed. Most notably, Milwaukee County increased its county tax from 0.5% to 0.9% on January 1, 2024, and the City of Milwaukee added a 2% city tax on the same date.

Related Calculators & Resources

State Calculator

Michigan

Calculate MI sales tax

State Calculator

Illinois

Calculate IL sales tax

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Minnesota

Calculate MN sales tax

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Resources

Official WI Tax Info

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Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on current Wisconsin sales tax rates as of January 2025. Tax rates are subject to change by state and local legislation. For official tax rates and specific guidance on your situation, please consult the Wisconsin Department of Revenue or a qualified tax professional.

Not Legal or Tax Advice: The information provided on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal or tax advice. Always verify current rates before making large purchases or business decisions.

Sources: Wisconsin Department of Revenue, Wisconsin Legislative Fiscal Bureau, Wisconsin Sales and Use Tax Act

Last updated: October 10, 2025