Pennsylvania Sales Tax Rate Calculator
Calculate Pennsylvania sales tax instantly. Most of PA uses the 6% state rate, while Philadelphia reaches 8% and Pittsburgh reaches 7%, so this calculator is built for exact checkout totals, city comparisons, and exemption checks.
Pennsylvania Sales Tax Rates in Major Cities (2026)
| City | Combined Rate |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 8% |
| Pittsburgh | 7% |
| Allentown | 6% |
| Reading | 6% |
Quick Reference — Pennsylvania at 6% Base Rate
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.60 | $10.60 |
| $25.00 | $1.50 | $26.50 |
| $50.00 | $3.00 | $53.00 |
| $100.00 | $6.00 | $106.00 |
| $250.00 | $15.00 | $265.00 |
| $500.00 | $30.00 | $530.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $60.00 | $1060.00 |
| $5,000.00 | $300.00 | $5300.00 |
Pennsylvania Sales Tax Guide (2026)
Pennsylvania uses a 6% statewide sales tax for most purchases, but local surtaxes matter in the two biggest metro intents: Philadelphia adds 2% for an 8% total and Allegheny County (including Pittsburgh) adds 1% for a 7% total. Groceries, most clothing, and prescription drugs are generally exempt, which makes a calculator useful when you need to distinguish taxed items from exempt everyday purchases.
Tax Exemptions in Pennsylvania
- Groceries: Exempt
- Clothing: Exempt
- Prescription drugs: Exempt in Pennsylvania
How Pennsylvania Sales Tax Works
Most Pennsylvania purchases are easy to estimate because the statewide rate is 6%. The exceptions that matter most are Philadelphia at 8% and Allegheny County at 7%, which is why users often search for PA sales tax calculators with Philadelphia or Pittsburgh examples instead of relying on the statewide headline number alone.
Pennsylvania Car Sales Tax and Local Surtaxes
Pennsylvania generally applies the same sales tax structure to vehicle purchases: 6% statewide in most of PA, 7% in Allegheny County, and 8% in Philadelphia. Title, registration, plate, documentation, and inspection-related fees are separate from the sales tax amount, so use this page for the tax estimate and then add dealer and DMV costs separately.
Pennsylvania Exemptions to Know
Pennsylvania is unusual because it exempts most groceries and most everyday clothing, which is why many shoppers search for whether Pennsylvania taxes food or clothes. Prepared food, restaurant purchases, alcohol, and many non-clothing retail goods are still taxable, so the exact tax depends on both the item category and whether the sale happens in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, or the rest of the state.
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