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Rhode Island Sales Tax Calculator

Rhode Island has a flat 7% statewide sales tax with no additional local, county, or city sales taxes permitted. While its 7% state-level rate is tied for the second-highest in the nation, the lack of local levies means Rhode Island's total combined sales tax rate is actually lower than in many states where local additions push the total checkout rate past 8% or 9%.

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Rates updated for May 2026

This calculator is for informational purposes only and does not constitute tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional for your specific situation. Rates last verified May 2026.

Verify rates on Rhode Island Division of Taxation

How it's calculated

Price × 0.07 = sales tax owed (statewide — same everywhere)
1

Start with the purchase price: $20,000.00

2

Multiply by the combined tax rate to get the tax amount: $1,400.00

3

Add tax to the purchase price for the total amount due: $21,400.00

Rhode Island sales tax rates by county

LocationCombined rate
Providence County (Providence)7%
Kent County (Warwick / Cranston)7%
Washington County (South Kingstown)7%
Newport County7%
Bristol County7%

Common examples in Rhode Island

Based on county rates shown above. Select your county in the calculator for a precise result.

Used car purchase

$12,000.00 purchase

$840.00

tax owed

New car purchase

$28,000.00 purchase

$1,960.00

tax owed

Electronics (laptop)

$1,000.00 purchase

$70.00

tax owed

Home appliance

$600.00 purchase

$42.00

tax owed

Rhode Island tax-free weekends

Shop during these periods and pay no sales tax on qualifying items.

Sales Tax Holiday Weekend

Second Saturday and Sunday of August (2 days)

Most tangible personal property priced at $2,500 or less per item. Excludes motor vehicles, motorboats, meals, tobacco, and telecommunications.

Frequently asked questions

What is the sales tax rate in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island's statewide sales tax rate is 7% — tied with Indiana, Tennessee, and Mississippi for the second-highest state rate in the US, behind only California's 7.25%. There are no county or city additions, so the rate is identical everywhere in the state.
What is the sales tax rate in Providence?
Providence has a sales tax rate of exactly 7% — the same as every other location in Rhode Island. Providence County and the City of Providence cannot levy local additions. The flat statewide rate means there is no difference between shopping in Providence, Warwick, Newport, or any other Rhode Island city.
Does Rhode Island have a sales tax holiday in 2026?
No. Rhode Island does not currently offer a statewide sales tax holiday. While lawmakers have frequently introduced legislation to create an annual tax-free weekend—often proposed as a Christmas in July or back-to-school event—none of these measures have been signed into law, and the state does not have any scheduled holidays.
What is exempt from sales tax in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island exempts most unprepared groceries, prescription drugs, and most clothing and footwear under $250 per item. Medical equipment is also generally exempt. Rhode Island began imposing a new tax on short-term rentals of entire homes (as opposed to rooms) effective January 1, 2026.
Is clothing taxable in Rhode Island?
Clothing and footwear under $250 per item are exempt from Rhode Island sales tax. Items $250 or more per item are taxable at the standard 7% rate. This exemption covers most everyday clothing purchases, with only higher-end or designer items falling into the taxable range.
Do you pay sales tax on a used car in Rhode Island?
Yes. Rhode Island charges 7% sales tax on used vehicle purchases. The tax is based on the purchase price and is paid at the DMV at the time of title and registration transfer. There is no cap on the taxable amount.
How are short-term rentals taxed in Rhode Island?
Effective January 1, 2026, short-term rentals (30 days or less) of an entire residential home are subject to a combined 14% tax rate. This includes the standard 7% sales tax, a new 5% whole-home short-term rental tax, and a local hotel tax that was increased to 2%.

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