Connecticut's current sales tax rate
Connecticut charges a 6.35% sales tax on most retail purchases. This rate applies statewide and does not vary by town or county. The tax is added at the point of sale — when you buy something in a store or online from a Connecticut seller.
Connecticut also allows municipalities to add a local option tax on top of the state rate in certain situations, but this is rare and applies only to specific categories like hotel rooms or rental cars in some towns. For everyday shopping, you will see the 6.35% state rate applied.
Key Takeaways
- Connecticut's statewide sales tax is 6.35% and applies to most goods and some services.
- Groceries, prescription medications, and certain medical equipment are exempt from sales tax.
- Clothing and footwear under $50 per item are tax-free; items over $50 are taxed on the full amount.
- Online purchases from Connecticut-based sellers are subject to sales tax; purchases from out-of-state sellers depend on that seller's tax collection policies.
- Restaurants and prepared foods are taxed, but unprepared groceries are not.
What is and is not taxed in Connecticut
Most tangible goods — items you can touch and hold — are subject to the 6.35% tax. This includes clothing over $50, electronics, furniture, and household items. Services like haircuts, repairs, and professional fees are generally not taxed, though there are exceptions.
Food and medicine have special rules. Groceries you buy to cook at home are not taxed. Prepared foods — anything sold hot, or sold in a restaurant or deli — are taxed. Prescription medications are exempt, but over-the-counter medicines and vitamins are taxed. Medical devices like canes, crutches, and wheelchairs are exempt when prescribed by a doctor.
Clothing and footwear under $50 per item are tax-free. If a single item costs $50 or more, the entire purchase is taxed. A $60 shirt is taxed on the full $60, not just the $10 over the threshold. This applies to shoes, coats, pants, and accessories like belts and hats.
How the tax works on online purchases
If you buy from a Connecticut-based online retailer, that seller must collect and remit the 6.35% sales tax. You will see it added to your order total before checkout.
If you buy from an out-of-state seller, whether they collect Connecticut sales tax depends on their own policies and the laws of their state. Many large national retailers now collect Connecticut tax even when based elsewhere, but not all do. If tax was not collected at purchase, Connecticut law technically requires you to pay "use tax" on that purchase when you file your state tax return — but this is rarely enforced for individual consumers.
Sales tax on specific categories
| Category | Taxed? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries (unprepared) | No | Bread, milk, produce, meat, frozen foods for home cooking |
| Restaurant meals and takeout | Yes | Any food sold hot or prepared for immediate consumption |
| Prescription medications | No | Must be prescribed by a licensed provider |
| Over-the-counter drugs and vitamins | Yes | Aspirin, cold medicine, supplements |
| Clothing under $50 | No | Per item; includes shoes and accessories |
| Clothing $50 and over | Yes | Full amount is taxed |
| Gasoline | Yes | 6.35% state tax plus federal excise tax |
| Alcohol and tobacco | Yes | Plus additional state excise taxes |
| Hotel rooms | Yes | 6.35% plus local option tax (varies by town) |
Who collects and where the money goes
Retailers and businesses collect the sales tax from you at the time of purchase and send it to the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services. The state uses this revenue for general operations and services. You do not send the tax directly to the state — the business handles that.
If you are a business owner in Connecticut, you must register with the Department of Revenue Services, collect sales tax from customers, and file monthly or quarterly returns depending on your sales volume. Failure to collect or remit sales tax can result in penalties and interest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I pay sales tax on clothing at thrift stores or secondhand shops?
Yes, if the item costs $50 or more. The $50 threshold applies to all clothing sales in Connecticut, whether new or used. A used coat priced at $55 is taxed; a used coat priced at $45 is not.
Is there sales tax on haircuts and salon services?
No. Haircuts, manicures, massages, and most personal services are not subject to sales tax in Connecticut. However, if you buy a product at a salon — like shampoo or nail polish — that product is taxed.
What about sales tax on car purchases?
Connecticut does not charge sales tax on vehicle purchases. However, you will pay registration and title fees to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and some towns charge a local property tax on vehicles. These are separate from sales tax.
If I buy something online from Amazon or another national retailer, will I see Connecticut sales tax?
Most major online retailers now collect Connecticut sales tax automatically, even if they are based outside the state. You will see 6.35% added to your order total. Some smaller or specialty retailers may not collect it, in which case the tax is technically owed when you file your state return, though this is rarely enforced.
Are diapers and baby formula taxed in Connecticut?
Yes. Diapers, formula, and other baby care products are subject to the 6.35% sales tax. They are not classified as groceries or medical equipment under Connecticut law.