Louisiana sales tax Calculator

Louisiana's state sales tax rate is 5% as of January 1, 2026 — raised from 4.45%. Local parish and city taxes add between 4% and 8.5% on top, resulting in combined rates that typically range from 9% to over 11% depending on the parish. Louisiana has 281 local tax jurisdictions and some of the highest combined rates in the nation.

Yes. Louisiana increased its state sales tax rate from 4.45% to 5% effective January 1, 2026. This was part of a broader Louisiana tax reform package. Combined rates in most parishes increased by 0.55% as a result, pushing already high combined rates even higher in many cities.

New Orleans (Orleans Parish) has a combined sales tax rate of 10% — the 5% state rate plus a 5% Orleans Parish local rate. This applies to most retail purchases within Orleans Parish. Some special economic development districts within the city may have slightly different rates.

Baton Rouge is in East Baton Rouge Parish, which has a combined rate of approximately 10.5% for most addresses — the 5% state rate plus East Baton Rouge Parish local taxes. Special economic development districts (including university EDDs and the City of St. George) may have rates up to 11.5%.

Yes. Louisiana holds an annual back-to-school sales tax holiday on the first Friday and Saturday of August. Qualifying items include most clothing and footwear at $100 or less per item, school supplies at $50 or less, and computers at $1,500 or less. Only the 5% state tax is suspended — local parish taxes may still apply. Louisiana also holds a Second Amendment holiday in September for firearms, ammunition, and hunting supplies.

Louisiana exempts most unprepared groceries from the state 5% sales tax. However, local parish taxes may still apply to groceries, so the effective rate on food varies by parish. This means grocery shoppers in high-local-tax parishes like East Baton Rouge may still pay meaningful local tax on food even though the state portion is exempt.

Louisiana's high combined rates result from its multi-layered local tax structure. Each of the 64 parishes levies its own sales taxes, and individual cities, school boards, and special districts add additional layers on top. This complexity — 281 distinct taxing jurisdictions — combined with Louisiana's relatively low property tax base means local governments depend heavily on sales taxes for funding schools, roads, and public safety.

As of 2026, some special economic development districts in Monroe and surrounding areas reach combined rates of 13.5%. The Westlake Opportunity District in Calcasieu Parish reaches 12.75%. For typical retail purchases in major cities, New Orleans is 10%, Baton Rouge is 10.5%, and Monroe city is approximately 10.99%.

Yes. Louisiana charges sales tax on used vehicle purchases at the combined parish rate where the vehicle is registered. In New Orleans that is 10%. There is no cap on the taxable amount — the full purchase price is subject to both state and applicable local taxes.