Wisconsin's state sales tax is 5%, and local add-ons take the combined rate as high as 7.9%. Of the 51 state-level rates, 5% is the 19th-lowest (tied with Louisiana and North Dakota); the 7.9% top combined rate is the 23rd-lowest, between Wyoming (8%) and Alaska (7.85%).
Combined sales tax in Wisconsin cities
The 2 Wisconsin cities we list range from 5.5% to 7.9%, a local share of 0.5% to 2.9%. At the 7.9% maximum: Milwaukee.
Combined rates as published by the Wisconsin Department of Revenue
City
Combined rate
Local share
Tax on $100
Milwaukee
7.9%
2.9%
$7.90
Madison
5.5%
0.5%
$5.50
Sales tax on a purchase in Wisconsin
Backward from a receipt: a $50.00 total at 6.7% is $46.86 of goods and $3.14 of tax.
Tax owed at Wisconsin rates
Price
State only (5%)
Median listed city (6.7%)
Highest (7.9%)
$25.00
$1.25
$1.68
$1.98
$100.00
$5.00
$6.70
$7.90
$1,000.00
$50.00
$67.00
$79.00
$2,500.00
$125.00
$167.50
$197.50
Groceries in Wisconsin
Wisconsin exempts groceries from state and local sales tax. A $200.00 grocery bill carries no tax, against $13.40 on the same spend of other goods at the 6.7% median city rate.
Tax on $200.00 of groceries and of other goods in Wisconsin
5% state, up to 7.9% with local taxes. The middle of the 2 Wisconsin cities we list is 6.7%.
What is the highest sales tax rate in Wisconsin?
7.9% combined. Milwaukee charges that rate.
Are groceries taxed in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin exempts groceries from state and local sales tax. A $200.00 grocery bill carries no tax, against $13.40 on the same spend of other goods at the 6.7% median city rate.
How much is the sales tax on $1,000 in Milwaukee?
$79.00 at Milwaukee's 7.9%, $1,079.00 in total; $50.00 of it is the state's.
Sources
Official documents the rates and rules on this page come from.
This is a reference calculation using common tax assumptions and is not a substitute for professional advice. We accept no liability for decisions made from it — see the terms of use for details.