Missouri Sales Tax Calculator
Enter a purchase price and choose a Missouri city to see the exact sales tax amount and total cost. The calculator covers the 4.225% state rate plus county, city, and special-district taxes for major Missouri cities. Switch to reverse mode to back-calculate the pre-tax price from a tax-included total, or enter a custom combined rate for any location.
How Missouri sales tax works
Missouri levies a statewide sales tax of 4.225%, which is itself a composite of four dedicated revenue streams: 3.0% General Revenue, 1.0% Public Education, 0.125% Conservation, and 0.1% Parks and Soils. On top of that, counties, cities, and special taxing districts (Community Improvement Districts, Transportation Development Districts, and similar entities) may add their own rates. The result is that the rate you actually pay varies by location. The statewide average combined rate is about 8.285%, but individual addresses can range from 4.725% in rural areas to over 12% in dense urban districts like Saint Ann in St. Louis County.
Reverse sales tax: finding the pre-tax price
When a price tag already includes tax, you can work backwards to find the original price. The formula is: pre-tax price = total / (1 + combined rate). For example, if you paid $108.29 in Kansas City where the combined rate is 9.975%, the pre-tax price is $108.29 / 1.09975 = $98.47, and the tax is $9.82. Use the "reverse" mode in this calculator to do that math automatically. This is useful for reimbursement forms, expense reports, and accounting entries that require the net price.
Special rates for groceries and exempt items
Groceries (food for home consumption) qualify for a reduced Missouri state rate of 1.225% -- the 3.0% General Revenue portion is waived. However, county and city taxes still apply in full, so the combined grocery rate in most cities is still 5-8%. Prescription drugs and most durable medical equipment are completely exempt from Missouri sales tax. Clothing is taxed at the standard rate. Missouri also holds periodic sales tax holidays for school supplies, energy-efficient appliances, and firearms -- check the Missouri Department of Revenue website for current holiday dates.
County, city, and special-district taxes
Missouri has 114 counties and the independent city of St. Louis, each with its own sales tax authority. County rates typically range from 0% to about 3.75%. Cities layer additional taxes on top, and special districts such as Transportation Development Districts (TDDs) and Community Improvement Districts (CIDs) add further amounts, often 0.5% to 2%, that apply only within specific boundaries like a shopping center or business corridor. This layering is why the exact rate for an address can be several percentage points higher than the rates shown for the surrounding city. For a precise rate at a specific address or ZIP code, use the Missouri DOR online rate lookup or consult your county assessor.
Missouri sales tax rates by major city (2026)
| City | County rate | City rate | Special | Combined rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis | 0.000% | 5.454% | 0.000% | 9.679% |
| Kansas City | 1.250% | 3.250% | 1.250% | 9.975% |
| Springfield | 1.875% | 2.125% | 0.875% | 9.100% |
| Independence | 1.250% | 3.000% | 1.250% | 9.725% |
| Columbia | 1.625% | 2.625% | 0.500% | 8.975% |
| Lee's Summit | 1.250% | 2.750% | 1.250% | 9.475% |
| O'Fallon | 2.263% | 2.625% | 0.000% | 9.113% |
| St. Charles | 2.263% | 2.963% | 0.000% | 9.450% |
| St. Joseph | 1.625% | 3.350% | 0.250% | 9.450% |
| Joplin | 1.875% | 3.500% | 0.000% | 9.600% |
| Jefferson City | 1.625% | 2.625% | 0.500% | 8.975% |
| Florissant | 2.263% | 3.750% | 0.000% | 10.238% |
| Cape Girardeau | 1.625% | 2.625% | 0.500% | 8.975% |
Combined rates include the 4.225% state rate plus county, city, and special-district taxes. Rates may vary by exact address within a city.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Missouri state sales tax rate?
Missouri's statewide sales tax rate is 4.225%. It is divided into four components: General Revenue (3.0%), Public Education (1.0%), Conservation (0.125%), and Parks and Soils (0.1%). This state rate applies across all of Missouri; local jurisdictions then add their own rates on top.
How do I find the exact sales tax rate for my address in Missouri?
The most reliable way is to use the Missouri Department of Revenue's address-based rate lookup at dor.mo.gov/taxation/business/tax-types/sales-use/rate-tables/. Because ZIP codes often span multiple taxing jurisdictions, a full street address gives a more accurate result than a ZIP code alone. The combined rate at a specific address can differ from the rate for the surrounding city if you are in a special taxing district.
Are groceries taxed in Missouri?
Yes, but at a reduced rate. Groceries (food for home consumption) are exempt from the 3.0% General Revenue portion of the state sales tax, leaving a state rate of 1.225%. Local county, city, and district taxes still apply on top of that reduced state rate. Prepared food sold at restaurants or ready to eat is taxed at the full rate.
Are prescription drugs taxable in Missouri?
No. Prescription drugs are fully exempt from Missouri sales tax at both the state and local level. Most durable medical equipment and prosthetics are also exempt. Over-the-counter medications and personal care products are taxed at the standard rate.
How does the reverse sales tax calculation work?
If a price already includes tax and you want to find the original pre-tax amount, divide the total by (1 + the combined tax rate expressed as a decimal). For example, $108.29 total in a location with a 9.975% rate: $108.29 / 1.09975 = $98.47 pre-tax. The tax portion is $108.29 - $98.47 = $9.82. This calculator handles the reverse math automatically when you select "Total (tax included)" mode.
Why is the sales tax rate different in different parts of the same city?
Special taxing districts, such as Transportation Development Districts (TDDs) and Community Improvement Districts (CIDs), can apply a surcharge within a very small geographic area, sometimes just a single shopping center. Two addresses with the same city and ZIP code can therefore have different combined tax rates if one falls inside a special district boundary and the other does not. The Missouri DOR address lookup is the only way to confirm the exact rate for a specific location.
Does Missouri have a sales tax holiday?
Yes. Missouri holds an annual Back-to-School sales tax holiday in early August, during which qualifying school supplies, clothing, computers, and software are exempt. There are also periodic holidays for Energy Star appliances and for firearms and hunting equipment. Dates and qualifying items change each year; check the Missouri Department of Revenue website for the current year's holiday schedule.