Suffolk County · Massachusetts
Boston, MA sales tax rate
Massachusetts allows no local sales tax, so Boston charges the flat state rate — but clothing under $175 per item is exempt, and only the amount above $175 is taxed.
Quick answer
The combined sales tax rate in Boston, MA is 6.25% as of January 1, 2026 — 6.25% state. On a $100 purchase that is $6.25 in tax, for a total of $106.25. Massachusetts's statewide base is 6.25%.
- Combined rate
- 6.25%
- State share
- 6.25%
- Local share
- 0%County + city + districts
- Tax on $100
- $6.25
Calculate Boston sales tax
Pre-filled with the Boston combined rate.
Sales tax calculator
The full combined rate of 6.25% applies to general merchandise.
Enter a pre-tax amount to see the tax due in Boston, MA.
- Pre-tax
- $100
- Sales tax at 6.25%
- $6.25
- Total
- $106.25
Tax is rounded to the nearest cent on the full transaction, which is how most registers compute it. Line-item rounding can differ by a cent or two on long receipts.
Jurisdiction breakdown
Every layer that makes up the combined rate, and how much of the total each one contributes.
| Jurisdiction | Level | Rate | Share of total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts state sales tax | state | 6.25% | 100% |
| Combined rate | 6.25% |
Boston sales tax reference table
Tax due at 6.25% on common purchase amounts.
| Purchase | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.63 | $10.63 |
| $25 | $1.56 | $26.56 |
| $50 | $3.13 | $53.13 |
| $100 | $6.25 | $106.25 |
| $500 | $31.25 | $531.25 |
| $1,000 | $62.50 | $1062.50 |
| $5,000 | $312.50 | $5312.50 |
| $25,000 | $1562.50 | $26562.50 |
Reverse out sales tax
Enter a receipt total and we split the item price from the 6.25% tax collected.
Backing out 6.25% for Boston, MA.
- Item price before tax
- $100
- Sales tax collected
- $6.25
What this rate applies to
Massachusetts publishes the taxable base separately from the rate. Groceries, prescription drugs, clothing and services are treated differently state to state, and several categories in Massachusetts are taxed at reduced rates or exempt entirely. Massachusetts allows no local sales tax, so Boston charges the flat state rate — but clothing under $175 per item is exempt, and only the amount above $175 is taxed. Check the Massachusetts Department of Revenue guidance for the category you are pricing before assuming 6.25% applies.
Boston at a glance
- Population
- 653,833
- Median household income
- $89,212
- County
- Suffolk County
- ZIP codes covered
- 16
Neighboring districts tax profiles
The closest covered jurisdictions by county and ZIP sectional centre, with the rate difference against this metro.
Compare Boston with another metro
Side-by-side rate stacks and the dollar difference on a $1,000 purchase.
Cities near Boston
Straight-line distance, estimated drive time and the rate charged there.
Download this metro's data
The Boston jurisdiction stack, combined rate (6.25%), effective date and Census figures are published as open files. Free to use with attribution — no key, no signup.