Missouri Sales Tax Calculator

Compute Missouri sales tax for any city in 2025. Add tax to a pre-tax price or strip it from a total.

City / County8.600%

Custom Tax Rate (%)0%

Pre-Tax Price$100.00

$0$5,000

Tax-Inclusive Price$108.60

$0$5,000

Sales Tax Amount

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Total Price

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Pre-Tax Price

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Rate Applied

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🏛️ What is Missouri Sales Tax?

Missouri sales tax is a consumption tax levied on most retail sales of tangible personal property and certain services within the state. It is administered by the Missouri Department of Revenue (MDOR) and consists of a statewide base rate of 4.225% plus local taxes imposed by cities, counties, and special districts. The combined rate varies significantly by location and can range from about 5% in rural unincorporated areas to nearly 10% in dense urban centers like St. Louis City.

Missouri's 4.225% state base rate is lower than the national average state rate, but local add-ons raise effective combined rates to levels comparable with other Midwestern states. Cities like Kansas City, Springfield, Columbia, and St. Louis each impose their own municipal sales taxes on top of county and special district levies. St. Louis City is unique: it is an independent city not part of any county, which means its residents pay city taxes instead of county taxes — contributing to its exceptionally high combined rate of 9.679%.

This calculator is useful in multiple scenarios. As a shopper in Kansas City purchasing a $500 laptop, you want to know the full checkout price before swiping your card. As a small business owner in Columbia, you need to collect the correct 8.225% combined rate and remit it to the MDOR monthly or quarterly. As a bookkeeper reconciling expense reports, you need to reverse-calculate the pre-tax base from tax-inclusive totals. As a resident near a city border, you may find it worth comparing the rates in neighboring jurisdictions for large purchases.

A common misconception is that Missouri has a simple, uniform sales tax rate. In reality, every city, county, and special taxing district can layer additional taxes on top of the state base. Groceries are taxed at a reduced state rate of 1.225%, but local taxes still apply. Prescription drugs are fully exempt. Restaurants, hotels, and car rentals often carry additional sector-specific taxes. Understanding the full combined rate for your city ensures accurate budgeting and compliance.

📐 Formula

Tax = Price × (Rate ÷ 100)

Tax = sales tax amount in dollars

Price = pre-tax price in dollars

Rate = combined sales tax rate for the city (%)

Total = Price + Tax

Pre-Tax = Total ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100)

Pre-Tax = price before tax, extracted from a tax-inclusive total

Total = tax-inclusive price

Rate = combined sales tax rate for the city (%)

Tax Amount = Total − Pre-Tax

Example (Add Tax): $100 item in Kansas City at 8.6% = $8.60 tax = $108.60 total

Example (Remove Tax): $108.60 total at 8.6% = $108.60 / 1.086 = $100.00 pre-tax

📖 How to Use This Calculator

Steps

Select your city: Choose from the dropdown list of 20 Missouri cities. The combined 2025 rate appears next to the city name and updates the Rate Applied display. If your city is not listed, choose Custom Rate and enter the exact percentage.

Choose a calculation mode: Click Add Tax if you know the pre-tax price and want to compute what the customer pays in total. Click Remove Tax if you have a tax-included receipt total and need to separate the pre-tax price from the tax amount.

Enter the price: Type the amount in the input field or drag the slider. The slider range is $0 to $5,000. For larger purchases, type the value directly into the input box.

Read the results: The calculator displays Sales Tax Amount, Total Price, Pre-Tax Price, and Rate Applied instantly. Use the share buttons to copy, print, or send the result via WhatsApp.

💡 Example Calculations

Example 1: Electronics Purchase in Kansas City

$650 smartphone purchased in Kansas City at 8.6% combined rate

Pre-tax price = $650.00

Tax = $650.00 x (8.6 / 100) = $650.00 x 0.086 = $55.90

Total = $650.00 + $55.90 = $705.90

Tax = $55.90 | Total = $705.90

Try this example →

Example 2: Restaurant Receipt in St. Louis

$54.23 tax-inclusive restaurant bill in St. Louis at 9.679% combined rate

Tax-inclusive total = $54.23

Pre-tax = $54.23 / (1 + 9.679 / 100) = $54.23 / 1.09679 = $49.45

Tax amount = $54.23 − $49.45 = $4.78

Pre-Tax = $49.45 | Tax = $4.78

Try this example →

Example 3: Appliance Purchase — Columbia vs. Springfield

$1,500 refrigerator: comparing Columbia (8.225%) vs. Springfield (8.1%)

Columbia tax = $1,500.00 x 0.08225 = $123.38 | Total = $1,623.38

Springfield tax = $1,500.00 x 0.081 = $121.50 | Total = $1,621.50

Savings by buying in Springfield = $123.38 − $121.50 = $1.88

Columbia Total = $1,623.38 | Springfield Total = $1,621.50

Try this example →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Missouri sales tax rate in 2025?+

Missouri's statewide base rate is 4.225%. Local jurisdictions add their own taxes, so combined rates range from roughly 5% in rural unincorporated areas to 9.679% in St. Louis City. Most major Missouri cities have combined rates between 8% and 9%. Use the city dropdown above to find the exact combined rate for your location.

How do I calculate Missouri sales tax on a purchase?+

Multiply the pre-tax price by the combined rate as a decimal. For a $200 item in Kansas City (8.6%): Tax = $200 x 0.086 = $17.20, Total = $217.20. For Columbia (8.225%): Tax = $200 x 0.08225 = $16.45, Total = $216.45. This calculator handles both add-tax and remove-tax scenarios instantly for any Missouri city.

How do I remove sales tax from a price in Missouri?+

Divide the tax-inclusive total by (1 + Rate/100). For a $108.60 total at 8.6%: Pre-tax = $108.60 / 1.086 = $100.00. The Remove Tax mode in this calculator handles this automatically. It is useful when an invoice shows the total price and you need to separate the tax for reimbursement or bookkeeping purposes.

Are groceries taxable in Missouri?+

Unprepared food items sold for home consumption are taxed at a reduced state rate of 1.225% in Missouri, rather than the full 4.225% state rate. However, applicable city and county local taxes still apply on top of the reduced state rate. Prepared foods from restaurants, hot deli counters, and food service establishments are taxable at the full combined rate.

What is the sales tax rate in Kansas City in 2025?+

Kansas City has a combined sales tax rate of approximately 8.6% in 2025, consisting of Missouri's 4.225% state base plus city and special district taxes. The rate can vary slightly by specific location within Kansas City since certain areas have additional special district levies.

Why does St. Louis City have such a high sales tax rate?+

St. Louis City is an independent city, meaning it is not part of any county and must fund all municipal and county-level services itself. This results in a higher combined tax burden. The city's 9.679% combined rate in 2025 includes Missouri's 4.225% state base plus a substantial city tax levy that covers services residents of county municipalities typically split between city and county governments.

Are prescription drugs exempt from Missouri sales tax?+

Yes. Prescription drugs are fully exempt from Missouri sales tax at both the state and local levels. This exemption applies statewide regardless of city or county. Over-the-counter medications sold without a prescription are generally subject to the full combined sales tax rate.

Is there sales tax on cars in Missouri?+

Yes. Vehicle purchases in Missouri are subject to a 4.225% state sales tax. Local use taxes based on the buyer's county of residence may also apply. Trade-in allowances can reduce the taxable purchase price of a new vehicle. Missouri also charges title and registration fees separately. Contact your local Missouri Department of Revenue office for the exact amount applicable to your vehicle purchase.

Does Missouri have a sales tax holiday?+

Yes. Missouri holds an annual back-to-school sales tax holiday typically on the first weekend of August. During this holiday, qualifying clothing items under $100, school supplies under $50, and computers and peripherals under $1,500 are exempt from Missouri state and most local sales taxes. Individual cities and counties can choose to participate or opt out.

What is the sales tax rate in Springfield, Missouri in 2025?+

Springfield has a combined sales tax rate of approximately 8.1% in 2025, made up of Missouri's 4.225% state base plus Greene County and City of Springfield local taxes. Springfield is the third-largest city in Missouri and serves as the economic and cultural center of the Ozarks region in southwest Missouri.

Does Missouri charge sales tax on services?+

Missouri generally does not impose sales tax on most personal and professional services. Taxable exceptions include telecommunications services, certain utility services such as electricity and gas, and tangible personal property repair and installation services. Professional services such as legal, medical, accounting, and consulting fees are generally not subject to Missouri sales tax.

How are Missouri local sales taxes collected and distributed?+

Missouri requires retailers to collect all state and local sales taxes simultaneously at the point of sale and remit the total to the Missouri Department of Revenue. The MDOR then distributes the local portions to the respective city, county, and special district governments according to the applicable tax rates. Businesses must register with the MDOR and file regular sales tax returns, typically monthly or quarterly depending on their sales volume.

🔗 Related Calculators

What is the Missouri state sales tax rate in 2025?

Missouri's statewide base rate is 4.225%. Local jurisdictions (cities, counties, and special districts) layer additional taxes on top. Combined rates across Missouri range from roughly 5% in unincorporated rural areas to 9.679% in St. Louis City. Most major cities fall between 8% and 9%.

How do I calculate Missouri sales tax?

Multiply the pre-tax price by the combined rate divided by 100. For a $100 item in Kansas City (8.6%): Tax = $100 x 0.086 = $8.60, Total = $108.60. The formula is Tax = Price x (Rate / 100). This calculator handles the arithmetic instantly.

How do I remove Missouri sales tax from a total price?

Divide the tax-inclusive total by (1 + Rate/100). For a $108.60 total at 8.6%: Pre-tax = $108.60 / 1.086 = $100.00. The Remove Tax mode does this automatically and is useful for bookkeeping and expense reimbursement.

Are groceries taxable in Missouri?

Unprepared food items (groceries) are taxed at a reduced state rate of 1.225% in Missouri instead of the full 4.225% state rate. However, local sales taxes still apply on top of the reduced state rate. Prepared foods from restaurants are fully taxable at the combined rate.

What is the sales tax rate in Kansas City in 2025?

Kansas City has a combined sales tax rate of approximately 8.6% in 2025, composed of the 4.225% state base plus city, county, and special district taxes totaling about 4.375%. The rate can vary slightly depending on the specific location within the city limits.

Why do different Missouri cities have different sales tax rates?

Missouri allows cities, counties, and special districts to levy their own sales taxes on top of the state rate of 4.225%. Each jurisdiction votes on or enacts local taxes for purposes such as transportation, parks, economic development, and fire protection. Because each entity decides independently, combined rates vary significantly across the state.

What is the sales tax rate in St. Louis in 2025?

St. Louis City (an independent city, separate from St. Louis County) has one of the highest combined sales tax rates in Missouri at 9.679% in 2025. This reflects the 4.225% state base plus substantial city-level sales taxes. St. Louis County municipalities generally have lower rates than the city itself.

Are prescription drugs exempt from Missouri sales tax?

Yes. Prescription drugs are fully exempt from Missouri sales tax. Over-the-counter medications are generally taxable at the full combined rate. This exemption makes Missouri's healthcare costs somewhat lower for residents who rely on prescription medications.

Is there sales tax on cars in Missouri?

Yes. Vehicle purchases are subject to Missouri's 4.225% state sales tax. Local use taxes may also apply based on the buyer's county of residence. Additionally, Missouri charges a title fee and registration fees separately from the sales tax. Trade-in values can reduce the taxable price of a new vehicle purchase.

Does Missouri have a sales tax holiday?

Yes. Missouri holds an annual back-to-school sales tax holiday, typically on the first weekend of August. During this holiday, qualifying clothing items under $100, school supplies under $50, and certain computers and accessories under $1,500 are exempt from both state and local sales taxes in most jurisdictions.

What is the sales tax rate in Springfield, Missouri in 2025?

Does Missouri charge sales tax on services?

Missouri generally does not impose sales tax on most services. Taxable exceptions include certain utility services, telecommunications, and tangible personal property repair. Professional services such as legal, medical, and accounting fees are not subject to Missouri sales tax.

📌 Quick Tips

💡Missouri's statewide base rate is 4.225%, one of the lower state base rates in the US. Most cities and counties layer local sales taxes on top, bringing combined rates between 7.95% and 9.68%.

💡St. Louis City has the highest combined rate in Missouri at 9.679% due to substantial city-level taxes added on top of the state rate.

💡Use the Remove Tax mode when a receipt shows only the tax-inclusive total and you need the pre-tax base for expense reporting or accounting.

💡Branson has a higher combined rate (8.975%) partly due to tourism-related taxes that help fund local services.

💡Missouri exempts most prescription drugs and certain groceries from the full sales tax rate, making daily essential purchases more affordable.