Maryland Sales Tax Rate
Maryland charges one statewide sales and use tax rate. What sets it apart is that cars are outside the sales tax entirely and pay a 6.5% titling tax at the MVA instead, and that the grocery exemption depends on the seller: food is exempt only when a substantial grocery or market business sells it for off-premises consumption.
State rate
6%
Local add-on
None
Combined
6%
The Comptroller’s sales and use tax guidance describes one statewide tax and mentions no city or county add-on, so the state rate is the rate on an ordinary receipt anywhere in Maryland. The one place the tax differs is cars: they are not subject to the sales tax at all and pay a separate titling tax to the Motor Vehicle Administration.
Work out the tax on a purchase
The calculator applies the state rate. Where local tax applies, add your local rate to get the figure that will appear on the receipt — the official lookup below gives the exact rate for an address.
Total Cost
$106.00
| Detail | Amount |
|---|---|
| Purchase Price | $100.00 |
| State Tax Rate | 6.000% |
| Sales Tax | $6.00 |
| Total | $106.00 |
Groceries are exempt from sales tax in Maryland.
Sales tax
Tax rate
Total cost
State-level base rates only. Many states allow cities and counties to add local sales taxes which are not included here. Check your local rate for exact calculations.
Edit inputs ↑What Maryland taxes, and what it doesn't
Groceries and prepared food
Food sales are taxable unless a person operating a substantial grocery or market business sells the food for consumption off the premises and the food is not a taxable prepared food. A grocery or market business is "substantial" when grocery or market food items are at least 10 percent of its food sales. Soft drinks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, candy and confectionery are not "food" for this purpose, so they are taxed even in a grocery store.
Cars and other vehicles
The sales and use tax does not apply to sales of cars or boats, because they are already subject to titling taxes. The titling tax on a car is 6.5% of the fair market value, collected through the MVA. For a vehicle sold by a licensed dealer, the fair market value is the total purchase price as certified by the dealer, which is the agreed price including any dealer processing charge, less an allowance for a trade-in.
Cars bought in another state
A new Maryland resident who has paid a lower sales or excise tax to the other state owes only the difference between that rate and Maryland's titling rate, as long as they have not been a Maryland resident for more than 60 days.
Use tax on out-of-state purchases
A taxable purchase made in person, by phone or online is subject to Maryland tax if the goods are used in Maryland, so buyers who were not charged Maryland tax file a consumer use tax return. Maryland credits sales tax paid to another state up to the amount of the Maryland tax.
Maryland sales tax holiday
The 2026 holiday (Shop Maryland Tax-Free Week) ran August 9-15, 2026. Covered: Clothing & footwear up to $100 per item; Backpacks & bookbags up to $40 per item. Excluded: Jewelry, watches, watchbands, handbags, handkerchiefs, umbrellas, scarves, ties, headbands, belt buckles, Special clothing or footwear designed primarily for protective use. A full 7-day week — the second-longest window on this page after Florida.
Get the exact rate for an address
A statewide figure is a starting point, not a receipt. For the rate that actually applies to a specific address, use the state's own lookup — third-party rate tables disagree with each other and go stale between rate changes.
Compare with other states
Frequently asked questions
Does Maryland tax groceries?
Usually not. Food sold by a substantial grocery or market business for consumption off the premises is exempt unless it is a taxable prepared food. A business counts as substantial when grocery or market food items are at least 10 percent of its food sales. Soft drinks, bottled water, alcoholic beverages, candy and confectionery are not treated as food and are taxed.
How much is sales tax on a car in Maryland?
None, because cars are outside the sales and use tax. Instead the MVA collects a titling tax of 6.5% of the vehicle’s fair market value. For a dealer sale that is the total purchase price the dealer certifies, including any dealer processing charge and less any trade-in allowance.
Do I owe Maryland tax on something I bought out of state?
Yes, if you use the item in Maryland and the seller did not collect Maryland tax. Buyers report it on the Consumer Use Tax Return. Maryland credits sales tax paid to another state up to the amount of the Maryland tax, so a buyer who paid the same rate or more elsewhere owes nothing further.
Sources
Related Calculators
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