Pennsylvania Sales Tax Calculator 2026

Use this calculator to estimate Pennsylvania sales tax. Pennsylvania has a complex local tax system with rates that can vary across jurisdictions. See the local rate breakdown below.

✓ Pennsylvania Specific✓ 6.34% Rate✓ Updated 2026

Pennsylvania Example: A $500.00 purchase at the estimated 6.34% combined rate would result in approximately $31.70 in sales tax, for an estimated total of $531.70. Actual amounts may vary by location.

State Rate

6.00%

Avg Local Rate

0.34%

Avg Combined

6.34%

Tax System

Complex Local

Verified: June 2026 · Pennsylvania Sales Tax

How to Calculate Pennsylvania Sales Tax

Use these formulas to estimate the sales tax on any purchase in Pennsylvania. The estimated combined rate is 6.34% (6.00% state + 0.34% average local).

Formula: Sales Tax = Price × (Rate ÷ 100)

$100 Example: $100.00 × (6.34 ÷ 100) = $6.34 in sales tax.

Total: $100.00 + $6.34 = $106.34

Reverse formula: Original Price = Total ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100). To find the pre-tax price from a receipt, divide the total by 1 + (6.34 ÷ 100).

Quick links:U.S. sales tax map |sales tax by ZIP code |reverse sales tax calculator |sales tax rates by state

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Need to Calculate the Pre-Tax Price Instead?

If you have the total receipt or checkout price and need to work backward to find the original item price before tax was added, use our specialized tool.

Reverse Calculator →

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Interactive Map Comparison: See how Pennsylvania's rate compares to the rest of the nation on our color-coded US Sales Tax by State Map.

Major Pennsylvania City Sales Tax Rates

Sales tax rates in Pennsylvania vary by city and county. Click any city link to use the city-specific calculator.

Quick City Lookup:Philadelphia sales tax calculatorPittsburgh sales tax calculatorAllentown sales tax calculatorAltoona sales tax calculatorBethel Park sales tax calculatorBethlehem sales tax calculator

City	County	Combined Rate	Action
Philadelphia	Philadelphia County	8.000%	Philadelphia sales tax rate →
Pittsburgh	Allegheny County	7.000%	Pittsburgh sales tax rate →
Allentown	Lehigh	6.000%	Allentown sales tax rate →
Altoona	Blair	6.000%	Altoona sales tax rate →
Bethel Park	Allegheny	7.000%	Bethel Park sales tax rate →
Bethlehem	Northampton	6.000%	Bethlehem sales tax rate →
Chester	Delaware	6.000%	Chester sales tax rate →
Erie	Erie	6.000%	Erie sales tax rate →
Harrisburg	Dauphin	6.000%	Harrisburg sales tax rate →
King Of Prussia	Montgomery	6.000%	King Of Prussia sales tax rate →
Lancaster	Lancaster	6.000%	Lancaster sales tax rate →
Monroeville	Allegheny	7.000%	Monroeville sales tax rate →

Local Tax Complexity in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania has a state sales tax rate of 6.00%. Local sales tax is limited to a few jurisdictions — Allegheny County (Pittsburgh) and Philadelphia add their own local rates, but most of the state has no local sales tax. The average local rate across the state is 0.34%, reflecting how localized these additions are.

Because rates can vary by county, city, or special district, the combined rate shown above is a statewide average. Your actual rate may differ depending on the specific location of the transaction. For the most accurate calculation, use the city-specific calculator or verify the rate with the relevant local jurisdiction.

Pennsylvania Sales Tax Rate Quick Facts

State Sales Tax Rate

6.00%

Most Counties

6.00%

Allegheny County

7.00%

Philadelphia

8.00%

Pennsylvania has a 6.00% state sales tax rate, and the average combined state and local sales tax rate is about 6.34%. Most Pennsylvania locations use the standard 6.00% rate, but Allegheny County adds 1.00% for a 7.00% combined rate, and Philadelphia adds 2.00% for an 8.00% combined rate.

Item	Detail
State sales tax rate	6.00%
State use tax rate	6.00%
Average combined rate	About 6.34%
Standard combined rate (most counties)	6.00%
Allegheny County combined rate	7.00%
Philadelphia combined rate	8.00%
Local sales taxes?	Only Allegheny County and Philadelphia
Tax system type	Mostly statewide rate with two local exceptions
Grocery food (not ready-to-eat)	Generally exempt
Candy and gum	Exempt
Most clothing	Exempt
Prepared food / restaurant meals	Taxable
Prescription drugs	Exempt
Digital products	Taxable
Canned software / SaaS access	Generally taxable
Custom software	Generally not taxable
Remote seller threshold	$100,000 in prior calendar year
Last reviewed	June 2026

How to Use the Pennsylvania Sales Tax Calculator

For most Pennsylvania locations, use 6.00%. This applies to cities such as Allentown, Erie, Reading, Scranton, Bethlehem, Lancaster, Harrisburg, York, Wilkes-Barre, State College, Altoona, Lebanon, and many other Pennsylvania communities. Use 7.00% for purchases in Allegheny County, including Pittsburgh. Use 8.00% for purchases in Philadelphia.

Also verify the product category. Groceries, most clothing, prescription drugs, textbooks, and residential heating fuels may be exempt. Prepared food, restaurant meals, hotel rooms, digital products, canned software, SaaS access, repair/installation services, and selected business services can be taxable.

How Pennsylvania Sales Tax Works

Pennsylvania has a 6.00% state sales and use tax rate. Most counties and cities do not add a normal local sales tax. The two major local exceptions are Allegheny County (7.00%) and Philadelphia (8.00%).

Pennsylvania sales tax applies to the retail sale, consumption, rental, or use of tangible personal property. It also applies to digital products and certain services. Use tax applies at the same rate when taxable items or taxable services are used in Pennsylvania and the seller did not collect Pennsylvania tax.

Pennsylvania has several important exemptions. Food that is not ready-to-eat is generally exempt. Candy and gum are exempt. Most clothing is exempt. Prescription drugs are exempt. Textbooks, computer services, resale sales, and residential heating fuels are also major exemption categories.

Pennsylvania Sales Tax Formula

Standard Sales Tax Formula

Mathematical Formula Sales Tax = Taxable Price \times (Rate \div 100)

Mathematical Formula Total Price = Taxable Price + Sales Tax

Mathematical Formula Reverse Price = Total Price \div (1 + Rate \div 100)

Pennsylvania Sales Tax Examples

Example 1: $100 Purchase in Most of PA (6.00%)

Worked Calculation Sales Tax = $100.00 \times 0.06 = $6.00

Worked Calculation Total = $100.00 + $6.00 = $106.00

Example 2: $250 Purchase in Pittsburgh (7.00%)

Worked Calculation Sales Tax = $250.00 \times 0.07 = $17.50

Worked Calculation Total = $250.00 + $17.50 = $267.50

Example 3: $250 Purchase in Philadelphia (8.00%)

Worked Calculation Sales Tax = $250.00 \times 0.08 = $20.00

Worked Calculation Total = $250.00 + $20.00 = $270.00

Example 4: $100 Exempt Clothing Purchase

Worked Calculation Sales Tax = $0.00 (Most clothing exempt)

Worked Calculation Total = $100.00

Example 5: Reverse Sales Tax

Receipt total is $106.00, rate was 6.00%.

Worked Calculation Pre-Tax Price = $106.00 \div 1.06 = $100.00

Worked Calculation Sales Tax Paid = $106.00 - $100.00 = $6.00

Major Pennsylvania City Sales Tax Rates

The normal rate is 6.00%, except Allegheny County at 7.00% and Philadelphia at 8.00%.

City	County	Combined Rate	Local Note
Philadelphia	Philadelphia County	8.00%	Highest standard PA rate; 6% state + 2% Philadelphia local tax
Pittsburgh	Allegheny County	7.00%	6% state + 1% Allegheny County local tax
Allentown	Lehigh County	6.00%	Standard Pennsylvania state rate
Reading	Berks County	6.00%	No normal local sales tax add-on
Erie	Erie County	6.00%	Standard state rate
Scranton	Lackawanna County	6.00%	Standard Pennsylvania rate
Bethlehem	Lehigh/Northampton County	6.00%	Standard rate in both county areas
Lancaster	Lancaster County	6.00%	Standard Pennsylvania rate
Harrisburg	Dauphin County	6.00%	Standard state rate
York	York County	6.00%	No normal local sales tax add-on
Altoona	Blair County	6.00%	Standard state rate
State College	Centre County	6.00%	Standard state rate
Wilkes-Barre	Luzerne County	6.00%	Standard state rate
Chester	Delaware County	6.00%	Standard state rate
King of Prussia	Montgomery County	6.00%	Major retail area; standard state rate
Monroeville	Allegheny County	7.00%	Allegheny County local tax applies
Bethel Park	Allegheny County	7.00%	Allegheny County local tax applies
Upper Darby	Delaware County	6.00%	Standard state rate, not Philadelphia rate

Why Pennsylvania Sales Tax Usually Does Not Vary Much

Pennsylvania sales tax usually does not vary much because the state has one main statewide rate and only two major local add-ons. Most Pennsylvania locations use 6.00%. Allegheny County uses 7.00%. Philadelphia uses 8.00%. The main risk in Pennsylvania is not rate lookup complexity — it is product taxability.

What Is Taxable in Pennsylvania?

Item / Category	Taxable?	Pennsylvania-Specific Note
General tangible goods	Usually taxable	Most retail sales of tangible personal property are taxable unless exempt.
Grocery food (not ready-to-eat)	Generally exempt	Food not ready-to-eat is generally exempt.
Prepared food / restaurant meals	Taxable	Ready-to-eat food, hot food, and catering are taxable.
Candy and gum	Exempt	Listed among major exempt items.
Clothing	Mostly exempt	Most clothing exempt; formal wear, fur, sports/protective gear may be taxable.
Prescription drugs	Exempt	Major exempt category.
Textbooks	Exempt	Listed as a major exempt category.
Residential heating fuels	Exempt	Oil, gas, coal, firewood for residential heating.
Digital products	Taxable	Video, photos, books, apps, games, music, audio delivered digitally.
Canned software	Taxable	Canned software is taxable whether delivered physically or electronically.
SaaS / remote software access	Generally taxable	Access to canned software through SaaS-type arrangements is taxable.
Custom software	Generally not taxable	Designed for a specific original purchaser.
Computer services	Major exempt category	Separate from software and digital-product rules.
Repair / installation services	Taxable when listed	Repairing, installing, and applying tangible personal property.
Hotel occupancy	Taxable	Same rate as sales tax for rentals under 30 days.
Business / resale purchases	Exempt with docs	Valid PA resale documentation required.

Online Purchases and Remote Sellers in Pennsylvania

Remote sellers and marketplace facilitators with more than $100,000 in Pennsylvania annual gross sales must register, collect, and remit Pennsylvania sales tax. There is no transaction-count threshold. Pennsylvania measures economic presence by gross sales, not by a 200-transaction rule.

Pennsylvania Food, Grocery, and Restaurant Notes

Food that is not ready-to-eat is generally exempt. Prepared food, restaurant meals, ready-to-eat food, hot food, and catered food are generally taxable. Candy and gum are exempt — different from many states that tax candy separately.

Pennsylvania Clothing Notes

Most clothing is exempt in Pennsylvania. A normal shirt, pants, coat, dress, socks, or shoes is generally exempt. However, formal day or evening apparel, certain fur articles, sporting goods or sports apparel, and protective equipment can be taxable.

Pennsylvania Digital Products, Software, and SaaS Notes

Pennsylvania taxes many digitally delivered, streamed, or accessed products as tangible personal property. Canned software is taxable whether delivered physically, electronically, or accessed remotely. SaaS-type access to canned software is generally taxable. Custom software is generally not taxable.

Common Pennsylvania Sales Tax Mistakes

Using 6.00% for Philadelphia instead of 8.00%
Using 6.00% for Pittsburgh or Allegheny County instead of 7.00%
Applying Philadelphia's 8.00% rate to suburbs outside Philadelphia
Applying Allegheny County's 7.00% rate to nearby counties outside Allegheny
Taxing exempt grocery food incorrectly
Treating prepared food like exempt grocery food
Taxing most clothing incorrectly
Treating SaaS as automatically exempt because it is cloud-based
Treating custom software and canned software the same
Missing the $100,000 PA remote seller threshold

Pennsylvania Sales Tax for Businesses

Businesses selling taxable goods, digital products, canned software, SaaS, prepared food, or hotel rooms in Pennsylvania may need a Sales, Use, and Hotel Occupancy Retail Tax License. Most sales use 6.00%, Allegheny County uses 7.00%, and Philadelphia uses 8.00%. Sellers with more than $100,000 in PA annual gross sales must register and collect.

Official Pennsylvania Sales Tax Sources

Last reviewed: June 2026. Rates and rules can change.

What Is Taxable in Pennsylvania?

In Pennsylvania, sales tax generally applies to most tangible personal property and some services. The exact taxability of specific items can vary based on state and local rules.

Groceries: Groceries and most unprepared food items are exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax.

SaaS / Software: Generally exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax since SaaS is not considered tangible personal property.

Taxability can vary by item type and local rules. Common taxable items typically include tangible personal property, while some exemptions may apply. Check the official state source for business decisions.

Online Purchases and Remote Sellers in Pennsylvania

Under the South Dakota v. Wayfair ruling, remote sellers may be required to collect and remit sales tax in Pennsylvania if they cross the state's economic nexus threshold.

Nexus threshold: $100,000 in gross sales (no transaction count threshold)

Businesses crossing this threshold may need to register with the state and begin collecting the appropriate combined state and local rates. Verify specific obligations with the state taxing authority.

Pennsylvania Sales Tax Compliance Guide for Businesses

Businesses collecting sales tax in Pennsylvania must file regular returns and remit collected tax to the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Filing frequency depends on your sales volume — typically monthly for high-volume sellers, quarterly for mid-range, and annually for low-volume filers.

Filing frequency: Quarterly for most businesses; monthly for high-volume filers exceeding $1,000/month in tax.

Returns are generally due on the 20th of the month following the reporting period. Late filings accrue penalties (typically 5% per month up to 25%) plus interest on unpaid tax. Most states require electronic filing (e-file) once your tax liability exceeds a threshold.

Vendor discount / collector's fee: 1% of tax due (capped at $1,000 per return) for timely filed returns.

Vendor discounts reduce your total tax liability and are applied automatically when you file on time. They compensate businesses for the administrative cost of collecting and remitting sales tax.

Keep detailed records of all sales, tax collected, exemption certificates, and filed returns for at least 4 years (longer in some states). The Pennsylvania Department of Revenue may audit your sales tax records — maintaining organized records reduces audit risk and simplifies the response process.

For multi-state sellers, use our Multi-State Sales Tax Calculator to estimate obligations across jurisdictions, or the Sales Tax Reconciliation Calculator to match collected tax to filing amounts.

Official Pennsylvania Sales Tax Resources

For official rates, registration, and filing guidance, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue. Always verify current rates with the official state source before making business or compliance decisions.

For informational purposes only. Tax rates change frequently — verify with your state's Department of Revenue before filing. This tool is not a substitute for professional tax advice.

Last updated: May 15, 2026 · Rates verified quarterly from the Tax Foundation and state Departments of Revenue.

Data methodology reviewed by M. Imtinan Farooq — Data Engineer focused on financial data systems.

Imtinan specializes in financial data systems and multi-state US sales tax modeling. With hands-on experience building data pipelines that cross-reference Tax Foundation datasets against state Department of Revenue publications, he ensures every rate on TaxesLedger is systematically verified and auditable. Connect with him on LinkedIn. Our 2026 data is audited quarterly against the latest Tax Foundation and Department of Revenue publications. This is an educational calculator, not tax, accounting, or legal advice.

Verified Data Sources: Tax Foundation · State DORs · Canada Revenue Agency · EU VAT Database

2026 sales tax rates by state

Select a state to see its detailed 2026 sales tax calculator and formula.

State	State Rate	Avg. Local	Combined
Alabama	4.00%	5.44%	9.44%
Alaska	0.00%	1.76%	1.76%
Arizona	5.60%	2.77%	8.37%
Arkansas	6.50%	2.98%	9.48%
California	7.25%	1.57%	8.82%
Colorado	2.90%	4.82%	7.72%
Connecticut	6.35%	0.00%	6.35%
Delaware	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Florida	6.00%	1.05%	7.05%
Georgia	4.00%	3.37%	7.37%
Hawaii	4.00%	0.44%	4.44%
Idaho	6.00%	0.02%	6.02%
Illinois	6.25%	2.49%	8.74%
Indiana	7.00%	0.00%	7.00%
Iowa	6.00%	0.94%	6.94%
Kansas	6.50%	2.20%	8.70%
Kentucky	6.00%	0.00%	6.00%
Louisiana	5.00%	5.11%	10.11%
Maine	5.50%	0.00%	5.50%
Maryland	6.00%	0.00%	6.00%
Massachusetts	6.25%	0.00%	6.25%
Michigan	6.00%	0.00%	6.00%
Minnesota	6.88%	0.58%	7.45%
Mississippi	7.00%	0.07%	7.07%
Missouri	4.22%	4.10%	8.33%
Montana	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Nebraska	5.50%	1.46%	6.96%
Nevada	6.85%	1.38%	8.23%
New Hampshire	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
New Jersey	6.63%	0.00%	6.63%
New Mexico	5.00%	2.73%	7.73%
New York	4.00%	4.52%	8.52%
North Carolina	4.75%	2.22%	6.97%
North Dakota	5.00%	1.85%	6.85%
Ohio	5.75%	1.48%	7.23%
Oklahoma	4.50%	4.47%	8.97%
Oregon	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Pennsylvania	6.00%	0.34%	6.34%
Rhode Island	7.00%	0.00%	7.00%
South Carolina	6.00%	1.43%	7.43%
South Dakota	4.20%	1.90%	6.10%
Tennessee	7.00%	2.61%	9.61%
Texas	6.25%	1.95%	8.20%
Utah	4.85%	2.21%	7.06%
Vermont	6.00%	0.24%	6.24%
Virginia	4.30%	1.33%	5.63%
Washington	6.50%	2.97%	9.47%
Washington D.C.	6.00%	0.00%	6.00%
West Virginia	6.00%	0.39%	6.39%
Wisconsin	5.00%	0.44%	5.44%
Wyoming	4.00%	1.36%	5.36%

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to the most common questions users ask.

What is the sales tax rate in Pennsylvania in 2026?

Pennsylvania's state sales tax rate is 6.00%. Most locations use 6.00%, Allegheny County uses 7.00%, and Philadelphia uses 8.00%.

Does Pennsylvania have local sales tax?

Yes, but only in limited major cases. Allegheny County adds 1.00%, and Philadelphia adds 2.00%. Most Pennsylvania counties and cities do not add a normal local sales tax.

What is the sales tax rate in Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has an 8.00% combined sales tax rate: 6.00% state tax plus 2.00% Philadelphia local tax.

What is the sales tax rate in Pittsburgh?

Pittsburgh is in Allegheny County, where the combined sales tax rate is 7.00%: 6.00% state tax plus 1.00% Allegheny County local tax.

What is the sales tax rate in most Pennsylvania counties?

Most Pennsylvania counties use the standard 6.00% state sales tax rate.

Are groceries taxable in Pennsylvania?

Food that is not ready-to-eat is generally exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax. Prepared food, restaurant meals, hot food, catering, and ready-to-eat food are generally taxable.

Is clothing taxable in Pennsylvania?

Most clothing is exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax. However, formal wear, certain fur items, sporting goods or sports apparel, protective equipment, and some accessories may be taxable.

🏛️ IRS Official📊 Tax Foundation

Official Sources & Citations

All rates, thresholds, and regulatory guidance cited on this page are sourced from official government publications and non-partisan research institutions.

Federal & National Sources

The official Internal Revenue Service tool for determining deductible state and local sales tax for federal income tax purposes.

irs.gov

Official government repository for quarterly state and local tax revenue statistics and government finance data.

census.gov

The official government opinion for South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., establishing modern economic nexus standards for remote sellers.

supremecourt.gov

Official Small Business Administration guidance on understanding federal and state tax obligations for small business owners.

sba.gov

The official inter-governmental organization facilitating the simplification of sales tax administration across 24 member states.

streamlinedsalestax.org

State Departments of Revenue

Official PA portal for sales, use, and hotel occupancy tax rates and regulatory guidance.

revenue.pa.gov

TaxesLedger is an independent educational tool. We are not affiliated with any government agency. Rates are verified quarterly; always confirm with your jurisdiction's official Department of Revenue before filing. Last verification: May 15, 2026.

More free sales tax tools to help with calculations, compliance, and business tax planning.

Reverse Sales Tax Calculator

Extract pre-tax amounts instantly from any inclusive total. Perfect for auditing receipts, GAAP compliance, and reversing combined state & local sales tax rates.

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