New Jersey Sales Tax Calculator
Enter any purchase amount to see the exact New Jersey sales tax (6.625%) and final price. Switch to reverse mode to back the tax out of a total you already paid. Choose the Urban Enterprise Zone or Salem County rate (3.3125%) for qualifying in-person purchases, or add the Millville Sports District surcharge. Results update as you type.
New Jersey sales tax rate in 2026
New Jersey applies a single statewide sales tax of 6.625% to most taxable purchases. Unlike many states, New Jersey does not authorize counties or cities to add their own sales tax on top of the state rate, so a purchase in Newark, Jersey City, Trenton, or any other municipality carries the same 6.625% rate. The state rate has been stable at 6.625% since January 2018, when it was trimmed from 6.875%. A small number of geographic exceptions exist: 32 Urban Enterprise Zones offer a reduced 3.3125% rate at certified in-person retailers, Salem County offers the same half rate at authorized businesses, and Millville imposes an additional 2% district tax within its Sports and Entertainment District.
How to use this calculator
Choose "Add tax to a pre-tax price" if you see a sticker price and want to know the full amount you will pay at checkout. Enter the price, pick the correct tax zone, and the calculator shows the tax amount and total instantly. Choose "Remove tax from a total price" (reverse mode) if you already paid and want to know what portion of the bill was tax. Enter the total paid, select the zone, and the calculator backs out the pre-tax price and the tax. If you are buying multiple identical items, enter the quantity to scale the result. The "Show your work" panel walks through every arithmetic step with your actual numbers.
Items exempt from New Jersey sales tax
New Jersey exempts several important categories from the 6.625% rate. Most clothing and footwear for human use is exempt regardless of price, which is a broader exemption than many states offer. Unprepared food and groceries for home consumption are also exempt, but prepared food sold ready to eat (such as restaurant meals, heated items, and sandwiches made to order) is taxable. Prescription and most over-the-counter drugs are exempt. Professional services such as legal, accounting, medical, and educational services are generally not subject to sales tax. Capital improvements to real property are not taxed. Gasoline is subject to the separate motor fuel excise tax rather than the regular sales tax.
Urban Enterprise Zones: the 3.3125% half rate
New Jersey has designated 32 Urban Enterprise Zones across cities including Camden, Trenton, Newark, Elizabeth, Paterson, Bridgeton, and others. Within these zones, businesses that are certified by the state may charge half the standard sales tax rate, which works out to 3.3125%. The discounted rate applies to qualifying in-person retail sales only; it does not apply to motor vehicles, alcoholic beverages, cigarettes and tobacco products, natural gas and energy, or most services. The Salem County discount works on the same principle: authorized retailers in Salem County charge 3.3125% on qualifying in-person sales. To confirm whether a specific retailer qualifies, check with the NJ Division of Taxation or the business itself.
New Jersey sales tax zones and rates (2026)
| Zone / Area | Rate | Applies to |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (statewide) | 6.625% | All taxable retail sales statewide |
| Urban Enterprise Zones (32 cities) | 3.3125% | Qualifying in-person retail at certified UEZ businesses |
| Salem County (authorized businesses) | 3.3125% | Qualifying in-person retail; excludes motor vehicles, alcohol, cigarettes, energy |
| Millville Sports & Entertainment District | 8.625% | Qualifying sales within the district (6.625% + 2% surcharge) |
| Newark (hotel surcharge, 2026) | $3/night | Hotel occupancies, effective January 1, 2026 |
The standard statewide rate is 6.625%. Reduced rates apply only at certified businesses in Urban Enterprise Zones and Salem County. Millville adds a 2% special district tax.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NJ sales tax rate in 2026?
The standard New Jersey sales tax rate is 6.625% in 2026. This rate has been unchanged since January 2018. New Jersey has no additional county or city sales taxes, so the 6.625% rate applies uniformly across the state for standard retail purchases.
How do I calculate NJ sales tax?
Multiply the pre-tax price by 0.06625 (or 6.625%). For example, a $200 purchase attracts $200 x 0.06625 = $13.25 in tax, making the total $213.25. To reverse the calculation when you know the total, divide by 1.06625: $213.25 / 1.06625 = $200.00 pre-tax.
Is clothing taxable in New Jersey?
No. Most clothing and footwear for human use is exempt from New Jersey sales tax, regardless of the purchase price. This is one of NJ's broadest exemptions and applies to everyday items like shoes, shirts, coats, and dresses. Certain accessories such as jewelry, handbags, and sports protective gear remain taxable.
Are groceries taxable in New Jersey?
Unprepared food sold for home consumption is exempt from NJ sales tax. This includes most items you buy in a grocery store. However, prepared food sold ready to eat, restaurant meals, heated items, sandwiches made to order, and candy and soft drinks are taxable at the standard 6.625% rate.
What is an Urban Enterprise Zone and how does the 3.3125% rate work?
Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZs) are designated areas in 32 New Jersey cities where certified businesses may charge half the standard state sales tax rate. The reduced rate is 3.3125% (half of 6.625%). You must purchase in person at a certified UEZ retailer to qualify. The discount does not apply to motor vehicles, alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco, energy products, or services.
Does New Jersey have a sales tax on cars?
Yes, motor vehicles are subject to NJ sales tax at the standard 6.625% rate. The UEZ half-rate and Salem County discount do not apply to motor vehicles. Tax is collected by the dealership at the time of sale.
How do I reverse-calculate sales tax in NJ?
If you paid a total that included 6.625% NJ sales tax and want to find the pre-tax amount, divide the total by 1.06625. For example, if you paid $533.13, the pre-tax price is $533.13 / 1.06625 = $500.00 and the tax portion is $33.13. Use the "Remove tax from a total price" mode in this calculator to do this automatically.