Wisconsin's statewide sales tax rate is 5%, and local taxes add an average of 0.72% for a combined average of 5.72% (Tax Foundation, rates as of July 1, 2026). Add tax to a price or work backward from a receipt below.
Rates are 2026 state rates plus population-weighted average local rates; your city or county may differ, and some items (like groceries) are taxed differently.
Sales tax on common purchases in Wisconsin
At the average combined rate of 5.72%, every $100 you spend carries $5.72 in sales tax. Where the highest local rate applies, the total rate is 7.9%, or $7.90 per $100. Rates are population-weighted averages, so your city or county may differ slightly — enter its exact rate in the calculator for a precise total.
Wisconsin sales tax at the average combined rate (5.72%)
Price
Sales tax
Total
Total at 7.9%
$10.00
$0.57
$10.57
$10.79
$25.00
$1.43
$26.43
$26.98
$50.00
$2.86
$52.86
$53.95
$100.00
$5.72
$105.72
$107.90
$500.00
$28.60
$528.60
$539.50
$1,000.00
$57.20
$1,057.20
$1,079.00
Working backward from a receipt
To find the price before tax, divide the total by 1 plus the rate: in Wisconsin, a $100.00 receipt at 5.72% breaks down into $94.59 of merchandise and $5.41 of tax. That is handy for expense reports and for checking a receipt that only shows the total.
Price before tax for tax-inclusive totals in Wisconsin (5.72%)
Total paid
Price before tax
Tax included
$10.00
$9.46
$0.54
$25.00
$23.65
$1.35
$50.00
$47.29
$2.71
$100.00
$94.59
$5.41
$500.00
$472.95
$27.05
$1,000.00
$945.89
$54.11
How Wisconsin compares with neighboring states
Wisconsin's 5% state rate ranks 32nd of the 50 states and DC, and its combined average ranks 42nd (1st = highest in both). On a $1,000 purchase at average rates, buying in Wisconsin instead of Illinois saves about $32.60 in sales tax.
Sales tax rates in Wisconsin and neighboring states (July 1, 2026)
Which goods are taxable differs by state: groceries, prescription drugs and clothing are often exempt or taxed at a reduced rate, while prepared food and general merchandise usually pay the full rate. Check unusual purchases against the state's current rules.