Is there sales tax on groceries in Louisiana?
Quick answer
No. Groceries bought for home preparation are exempt from Louisiana state sales tax. Prepared and restaurant food is still taxable.
Food for home consumption is exempt from the state rate; many parishes and municipalities still tax groceries locally.
Rule summary
How Louisiana treats each category.
| Grocery food (home consumption) | Exempt from state sales tax |
|---|---|
| Prepared and restaurant food | Taxable at the full combined rate (9.45%–10%) |
| Candy and soft drinks | Usually taxable even where groceries are exempt |
| Prescription medicine | Exempt |
Source: Louisiana Department of Revenue · rates as published for 2026
This page summarizes the general rule. Every state writes exceptions for specific products, and local jurisdictions can differ from the state treatment. Confirm your situation with the Louisiana Department of Revenue or a tax professional before relying on it for filing.
Combined rates in Louisiana
What a taxable purchase actually costs in Louisiana.
Frequently asked
Answers pulled from the same rule set.
- Is there sales tax on groceries in Louisiana?
- No. Groceries bought for home preparation are exempt from Louisiana state sales tax. Prepared and restaurant food is still taxable.
- Is prepared food taxed differently than groceries in Louisiana?
- Yes. Louisiana treats hot, ready-to-eat and restaurant food as a taxable retail sale even where unprepared grocery food is exempt or reduced.
- Are prescription drugs taxable in Louisiana?
- No. Prescription medicine is exempt from sales tax in Louisiana.
More Louisiana guides
Other Louisiana rules that change the total.