Rhode Island Sales Tax Calculator

Free Rhode Island sales tax calculator 2026. 7.00% state + 0.00% local = 7.00% combined. Reverse calc & exemptions. No sign-up.

How Rhode Island Sales Tax Works

Rhode Island charges a 7.00% state sales tax rate. On top of that, local jurisdictions (counties, cities, special districts) add their own taxes, bringing the average combined rate to 7.00%. That means on a $1,000 purchase, you'd pay approximately $70.00 in sales tax for a total of $1070.00.

The Rhode Island state rate of 7.00% applies uniformly across the state, and there are no local sales tax additions. This makes the calculation straightforward — the state rate is what you pay everywhere.

Good news: Rhode Island exempts groceries, prescription drugs from state sales tax. However, clothing are still subject to sales tax in Rhode Island. These exemptions can make a real difference in your annual spending, especially on groceries which are a recurring expense for every household.

Need to work backwards? If you have a total receipt and need to find the original price before tax, use the reverse sales tax formula: divide the total by (1 + tax rate). For example, a $1070.00 total with 7.00% tax means the original price was $1,000 ($1070.00 ÷ 1.700). This is useful for expense reports and bookkeeping.

Since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, online retailers must collect Rhode Island sales tax on purchases shipped to RI residents. Most online purchases now include Rhode Island sales tax based on the buyer's location, including any applicable local taxes.

Rhode Island Sales Tax Key Rates (2026)

Rhode Island State Rate

7.00%

Rhode Island Avg Local Rate

0.00%

Rhode Island Combined Rate

7.00%

Tax on $1,000

$70.00

Total on $1,000

$1070.00

Rhode Island Sales Tax FAQ

What is the sales tax rate in Rhode Island?

The state sales tax rate in Rhode Island is 7.00%. With average local taxes, the combined rate is approximately 7.00%. Actual rates may vary by city and county within Rhode Island.

Does Rhode Island have local sales tax?

Rhode Island does not allow local jurisdictions to add their own sales taxes. The 7.00% state rate applies uniformly across the entire state.

What items are exempt from sales tax in Rhode Island?

In Rhode Island, groceries, prescription drugs are exempt from state sales tax. However, clothing are still subject to sales tax. Exemptions may vary at the local level.

How do I calculate sales tax in Rhode Island?

Multiply the purchase price by the combined tax rate. For example, on a $100 purchase at the 7.00% combined rate in Rhode Island: $100 × 0.700 = $7.00 in tax. Total price: $107.00.

Does Rhode Island charge sales tax on online purchases?

Yes. Following the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court ruling, online retailers must collect Rhode Island sales tax on purchases shipped to Rhode Island residents. The rate is based on the buyer's location within Rhode Island.

Nearby State Sales Tax Calculators

All 50 States Connecticut (6.35%)Massachusetts (6.25%)

Rachel MitchellCPA

Lead Tax Analyst & Editorial Director, TheTaxCalc

Rachel Mitchell is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) licensed in Illinois with over 12 years of experience in individual and small-business taxation. She specializes in federal and state income tax compliance, FICA optimization, payroll tax strategy, and multi-state tax planning. Rachel holds an MS in Taxation from Golden Gate University and a BS in Accounting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. She is an active member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Illinois CPA Society. Before joining TheTaxCalc, Rachel spent 8 years at a Big Four accounting firm advising high-net-worth clients on tax-efficient wealth strategies.

Reviewed: January 2026Tax data verified against IRS Publication 15-T & state revenue departments