The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 4.45% in 2026. When county and city taxes are added, the combined rate ranges from 4.45% in areas with no local additions up to 11.45% in the highest-taxed jurisdictions. The most populated areas of Louisiana — including Jefferson Parish — have a combined rate of 9.2%.
Louisiana’s parish (county) system adds substantial local taxes, with some parishes pushing combined rates above 11%. New Orleans is among the highest-taxed cities in the US at 9.45%.
💡 Quick Reference: $100 purchase in Louisiana at the average combined rate costs approximately $107.95 after tax. Use the calculator above to find the exact amount for any county or city in Louisiana.
Groceries in Louisiana are exempt from Louisiana state sales tax. Clothing purchases are taxable at full rate. Prescription drugs and medical devices are generally exempt from sales tax in Louisiana, as they are in most US states.
Common Louisiana Sales Tax Exemptions
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Prescription Medicine
Prescription drugs are fully exempt from Louisiana sales tax.
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Grocery Food
Unprepared groceries are exempt from Louisiana state sales tax in Louisiana.
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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 Louisiana.
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Clothing
Clothing is taxable at full rate in Louisiana.
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Textbooks
Textbooks for educational use are often exempt or reduced rate.
How Does Louisiana Sales Tax Work?
Sales tax in Louisiana is collected at the point of purchase by retailers and remitted to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. The total rate you pay is the sum of the Louisiana state rate (4.45%) plus any applicable county and city rates in your location.
Businesses with a physical presence in Louisiana — including offices, warehouses, or employees — have sales tax nexus and must collect and remit Louisiana sales tax. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, remote sellers with $100,000+ in Louisiana annual sales or 200+ Louisiana transactions must also register and collect Louisiana sales tax even without a physical presence.
📅 Louisiana 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 Louisiana Department of Revenue based on your sales volume. File and pay online through the Louisiana state tax portal.
The Louisiana state sales tax rate is 4.45% in 2026. With county and city additions, combined rates range from 4.45% to 11.45% depending on your location. The most common combined rate in populated Louisiana counties is around 7.95%. Use the calculator above to find the exact rate for your specific county and city.
Groceries in Louisiana are exempt from Louisiana state 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 Louisiana sales tax, multiply your purchase amount by the combined rate (as a decimal). For example, a $200 purchase in Jefferson Parish at 9.2%: $200 × 0.92 = $18.40 in sales tax, making the total $218.40. Or simply use the free Louisiana sales tax calculator at the top of this page.
Yes, if you meet Louisiana’s economic nexus threshold. Remote sellers must collect and remit Louisiana sales tax if they have $100,000 or more in Louisiana sales or 200+ separate Louisiana 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 Louisiana.
Most services are not subject to Louisiana sales tax, which primarily applies to the sale of tangible personal property. However, certain services are taxable in Louisiana — including some digital services, repair services, and services that are inseparable from a taxable product. Consult the Louisiana Department of Revenue or a tax professional for guidance on specific service types.
The highest combined sales tax rate in Louisiana is 11.45%, which occurs in areas with the maximum local tax additions on top of the 4.45% state base rate. The lowest rate is the state base rate of 4.45% in areas with no local taxes. See the county-by-county table above for the exact rate in each area of Louisiana.