Missouri's sales tax rate and what it covers
Missouri's state sales tax is 4.225%. When you buy something at a store, that percentage gets added to the price at checkout. The tax applies to most goods — clothing, groceries, electronics, furniture — but not to services like haircuts or car repairs.
Your actual total tax rate is usually higher than 4.225% because cities and counties add their own local sales taxes on top. In Kansas City, for example, the combined rate is 8.6%. In St. Louis, it's 8.2%. A small town might be 5.5%. The state rate stays the same everywhere, but where you live determines the local portion you pay.
Some items are taxed differently or not at all. Prescription medications are exempt. Most groceries sold for home consumption — bread, milk, vegetables — are not taxed. But prepared food, candy, and soft drinks are taxed at the full rate.
Key Takeaways
- Missouri's state sales tax is 4.225%, but your total rate depends on your city and county, which can range from about 5% to over 10%.
- Groceries for home use are not taxed, but restaurant meals, prepared foods, and candy are taxed at the full rate.
- Prescription medications are exempt from sales tax, but over-the-counter medicines are taxed.
- Services like haircuts, repairs, and professional fees are generally not subject to sales tax.
- Online purchases from out-of-state sellers may or may not be taxed depending on whether the seller has a physical presence in Missouri.
Local sales tax rates by region
Every Missouri city and county sets its own local sales tax on top of the state rate. This means the total you pay varies significantly depending on where you shop. The state portion is always 4.225%, but local rates range from less than 1% to over 4%.
Major cities tend to have higher combined rates because they layer multiple local taxes. St. Louis city charges 1.975% local tax on top of the state rate. Jackson County (Kansas City area) charges 1.5% county tax plus city taxes that vary by municipality. Some rural counties have only the state rate or add just 0.5% locally.
If you live near a state border, you might notice significant differences. A purchase in Kansas or Arkansas could have a different total tax than the same purchase in Missouri. Some people cross state lines for large purchases, though this is less common now that online shopping is widespread.
What is and isn't taxed in Missouri
Understanding what gets taxed helps you predict your final bill. Taxed items include most clothing, shoes, household goods, electronics, toys, books, and most food and beverages. Restaurant meals, fast food, coffee, and soda are all taxed. Candy and snack foods are taxed. Gasoline at the pump is taxed, though the state also charges a separate fuel tax per gallon.
Exempt items include prescription drugs (with a valid prescription), most groceries bought for home preparation, and certain medical equipment. Diapers and feminine hygiene products are not taxed. Newspapers and magazines are not taxed. Seeds and plants for growing food are not taxed.
Services are generally not subject to sales tax. You don't pay sales tax on haircuts, dental work, car repairs, plumbing, electrical work, or legal fees. However, if a service includes a product — like a plumber who installs a new pipe — the product portion may be taxed depending on how the invoice is written.
Online purchases and out-of-state sellers
Whether you pay Missouri sales tax on an online purchase depends on whether the seller has a physical presence (called "nexus") in the state. Large retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target have warehouses or offices in Missouri, so they collect and send Missouri sales tax on orders shipped to Missouri addresses. Smaller online sellers without a Missouri location may not collect the tax.
Technically, if a seller doesn't collect sales tax, you are supposed to pay "use tax" — which is the same rate as sales tax — when you file your state income tax return. In practice, most individuals do not report these purchases. The state focuses enforcement on businesses rather than individual shoppers.
If you order from a seller outside the United States, you may owe federal import duties in addition to Missouri sales tax, depending on the item and its value. This is separate from sales tax and handled at the point of delivery.
Sales tax on vehicles and large purchases
Buying a car in Missouri involves sales tax, but the calculation is different than buying a shirt. The tax applies to the purchase price of the vehicle. If you trade in an old car, Missouri allows you to subtract the trade-in value before calculating tax — so you only pay tax on the net amount you're spending.
The combined state and local rate applies. In Kansas City, that could be 8.6% of the net purchase price. On a $20,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in, you'd pay tax on $15,000. The dealer typically collects this tax and sends it to the state, and it's included in your title and registration paperwork.
Other large purchases like boats, RVs, and aircraft follow similar rules. The tax is calculated on the purchase price minus any trade-in, and the combined state and local rate applies.
How to find your local sales tax rate
Your total sales tax rate depends on your exact address — sometimes even the street matters if you live on a city boundary. The Missouri Department of Revenue maintains a sales tax rate lookup tool on its website where you can enter your zip code or address and see the exact combined rate.
You can also call your city or county assessor's office and ask directly. They can tell you the local rate for your address. If you're buying something in a different city, ask the store's cashier or check the receipt after purchase — it will show the rate that was applied.
Businesses that collect sales tax file returns monthly or quarterly with the state, depending on their volume. If you own a business, you'll need a sales tax permit from the Missouri Department of Revenue and must register before you start collecting tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on groceries in Missouri?
Most groceries for home use are not taxed — milk, bread, vegetables, meat, eggs, and canned goods are all exempt. But prepared foods, restaurant meals, candy, soft drinks, and hot foods from a deli counter are taxed at the full rate. The rule is roughly: if it's ready to eat or a snack food, it's taxed.
What's the difference between sales tax and use tax?
Sales tax is collected when you buy something. Use tax is supposed to be paid on purchases where sales tax wasn't collected — usually out-of-state online orders. The rate is the same; use tax just applies after the fact. Most individuals don't report use tax on their returns, though technically they should.
Why is my sales tax different in different cities?
Missouri's state rate is 4.225% everywhere, but cities and counties add their own local taxes. Kansas City adds more local tax than a small rural town, so the combined rate is higher. Even moving a few blocks can change your rate if you cross a city or county line.
Do I pay sales tax when I trade in a vehicle?
You pay sales tax on the net amount after the trade-in is subtracted. If you buy a $20,000 car and trade in a $5,000 vehicle, you pay tax only on the $15,000 difference. The dealer handles this calculation and collects the tax.
Are prescription medications taxed in Missouri?
No. Prescription medications with a valid prescription are exempt from sales tax. Over-the-counter medicines like cold medicine or pain relievers are taxed at the full rate, as are vitamins and supplements.