Calculate exact Iowa sales tax — 6% state rate, 6.94% combined average. Add tax to a price or back-calculate the pre-tax price from a total.
Iowa has a 6% statewide sales tax rate. With county and city taxes added, the average combined rate in Iowa is 6.94%. Your specific rate depends on your city and county. Use the calculator above to add tax to any price or extract the pre-tax amount from a total.
Iowa imposes a 6% statewide sales tax on most tangible personal property and some services. Local jurisdictions — counties, cities, and special taxing districts — may add additional local sales taxes, resulting in a combined rate that varies by location. The average combined rate across Iowa is 6.94%, but your exact city and county may differ.
Sellers in Iowa collect the applicable combined rate from buyers at the point of sale and remit it to the Iowa Department of Revenue on a regular schedule (monthly, quarterly, or annually depending on sales volume). Buyers who purchase goods out of state for use in Iowa technically owe a use tax equal to the sales tax rate if the seller did not collect it.
On a $500 purchase at the Iowa average combined rate of 6.94%: Tax = $500 x 6.94% = $34.70. Total price = $534.70. If you know only the total and need the pre-tax price, divide by (1 + 0.0694) = $467.55.
Use the calculator above to compute sales tax for any price and quantity. You can also use reverse mode to extract the pre-tax price from a total that already includes Iowa sales tax.
State vs. combined rate
The Iowa state rate is 6%. Local jurisdictions may add additional taxes, bringing the average combined rate to 6.94%. Your specific location may have a higher or lower combined rate. To find your precise local rate, search your city name plus "sales tax rate" or visit the Iowa Department of Revenue website.
Common exemptions
Most states exempt prescription drugs from sales tax. Grocery exemptions vary by state. Clothing, digital goods, and services have varying taxability rules. If you are buying for resale or exempt business use, you may qualify for a Iowa sales tax exemption certificate. Check the Iowa Department of Revenue for a complete list of exemptions.
Business sales tax obligations in Iowa
Businesses selling in Iowa must register with the Iowa Department of Revenue, collect the correct combined rate, file regular returns, and remit collected taxes on schedule. Online sellers may have economic nexus obligations in Iowa under the Wayfair decision if they exceed $100,000 in Iowa sales or 200 transactions per year.
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The Iowa state sales tax rate is 6% in 2026. With county and city taxes added, the average combined rate across Iowa is 6.94%. Your specific rate may be higher or lower depending on your exact location. Check the Iowa Department of Revenue website for the precise combined rate in your city.
Iowa sales tax exemption rules for groceries depend on the type of food. Many states exempt unprepared food (cold grocery items) but tax prepared food, hot food, and restaurant meals. Prescription drugs are exempt from sales tax in most states. Check the Iowa Department of Revenue for current rules on grocery and food exemptions in your area.
To calculate Iowa sales tax, multiply your pre-tax price by the applicable combined rate. Example: a $200 purchase at 6.94% combined rate = $200 x 0.0694 = $13.88 in tax, total $213.88. Use the calculator above for any amount. To reverse-calculate: divide the total price by (1 + 0.0694).
Online retailers with economic nexus in Iowa must collect Iowa sales tax. Since the South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision (2018), out-of-state sellers exceeding $100,000 in Iowa sales or 200 transactions per year must collect and remit Iowa sales tax, even without a physical presence in the state. Major retailers automatically collect the correct Iowa rate at checkout.
Iowa imposes a use tax equal to the sales tax rate on purchases made out of state (including online) where Iowa sales tax was not collected. If you buy a $1,000 item in a no-sales-tax state and bring it to Iowa for permanent use, you technically owe Iowa use tax of approximately $69.40 (6.94%). Businesses are more closely audited for use tax compliance than individuals.