The Wisconsin state sales tax rate is 5.0% in 2026. When county and city taxes are added, the combined rate ranges from 5.0% in areas with no local additions up to 7.9% in the highest-taxed jurisdictions. The most populated areas of Wisconsin — including Milwaukee County — have a combined rate of 7.9%.
Wisconsin exempts both groceries and most clothing from sales tax. Milwaukee County has an additional 0.5% tax, and Milwaukee city has a further 2% city tax making it the highest rate in the state.
💡 Quick Reference: $100 purchase in Wisconsin at the average combined rate costs approximately $106.45 after tax. Use the calculator above to find the exact amount for any county or city in Wisconsin.
Groceries in Wisconsin are most grocery food is exempt from Wisconsin sales tax. Clothing purchases are most clothing is exempt from Wisconsin sales tax. Prescription drugs and medical devices are generally exempt from sales tax in Wisconsin, as they are in most US states.
Common Wisconsin Sales Tax Exemptions
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Prescription Medicine
Prescription drugs are fully exempt from Wisconsin sales tax.
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Grocery Food
Unprepared groceries are most grocery food is exempt from Wisconsin sales tax in Wisconsin.
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Manufacturing Equipment
Equipment used directly in manufacturing is generally exempt.
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Agricultural Supplies
Seeds, livestock, and farm feed are generally exempt in Wisconsin.
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Clothing
Clothing is most clothing is exempt from Wisconsin sales tax in Wisconsin.
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Textbooks
Textbooks for educational use are often exempt or reduced rate.
How Does Wisconsin Sales Tax Work?
Sales tax in Wisconsin is collected at the point of purchase by retailers and remitted to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. The total rate you pay is the sum of the Wisconsin state rate (5.0%) plus any applicable county and city rates in your location.
Businesses with a physical presence in Wisconsin — including offices, warehouses, or employees — have sales tax nexus and must collect and remit Wisconsin sales tax. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, remote sellers with $100,000+ in Wisconsin annual sales or 200+ Wisconsin transactions must also register and collect Wisconsin sales tax even without a physical presence.
📅 Wisconsin Sales Tax Filing: Returns are typically due on the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Filing frequency (monthly, quarterly, or annual) is assigned by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue based on your sales volume. File and pay online through the Wisconsin state tax portal.
The Wisconsin state sales tax rate is 5.0% in 2026. With county and city additions, combined rates range from 5.0% to 7.9% depending on your location. The most common combined rate in populated Wisconsin counties is around 6.45%. Use the calculator above to find the exact rate for your specific county and city.
Groceries in Wisconsin are most grocery food is exempt from Wisconsin sales tax. This applies to unprepared food items purchased at grocery stores. Prepared food (restaurant meals, hot food from a deli counter) is generally taxed at the full combined rate regardless of state grocery exemptions.
To calculate Wisconsin sales tax, multiply your purchase amount by the combined rate (as a decimal). For example, a $200 purchase in Milwaukee County at 7.9%: $200 × 0.79 = $15.80 in sales tax, making the total $215.80. Or simply use the free Wisconsin sales tax calculator at the top of this page.
Yes, if you meet Wisconsin’s economic nexus threshold. Remote sellers must collect and remit Wisconsin sales tax if they have $100,000 or more in Wisconsin sales or 200+ separate Wisconsin transactions in a calendar year. This applies to all online sellers including Amazon FBA sellers, Shopify stores, and marketplace sellers. Marketplace facilitators like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay collect and remit on behalf of their sellers in Wisconsin.
Most services are not subject to Wisconsin sales tax, which primarily applies to the sale of tangible personal property. However, certain services are taxable in Wisconsin — including some digital services, repair services, and services that are inseparable from a taxable product. Consult the Wisconsin Department of Revenue or a tax professional for guidance on specific service types.
The highest combined sales tax rate in Wisconsin is 7.9%, which occurs in areas with the maximum local tax additions on top of the 5.0% state base rate. The lowest rate is the state base rate of 5.0% in areas with no local taxes. See the county-by-county table above for the exact rate in each area of Wisconsin.