What is the sales tax rate in Baltimore?

Baltimore's sales tax is Maryland's statewide 6% rate. Maryland does not allow separate county or municipal sales taxes, so the city, county, and state combined rate is simply 6% on most goods.

Do groceries get taxed in Baltimore?

Most unprepared grocery staples are exempt from Maryland sales tax. However, prepared food, candy, soda, and dietary supplements are taxable, and prepared/restaurant food is generally taxed at the standard rate.

Is there a higher rate for restaurant meals?

Maryland taxes most prepared and restaurant food at the same 6% sales tax rate as other goods. Alcoholic beverages, however, are taxed at a higher 9% rate under Maryland law.

Why is Baltimore's combined rate the same as the state rate?

Unlike many states, Maryland centralizes sales tax at the state level and prohibits local add-ons. That means Baltimore city and county cannot tack on their own percentage, so the combined rate equals the state's 6%.

How do I calculate tax on a discounted price?

Sales tax in Maryland applies to the final price after store discounts but before any manufacturer coupons in many cases. Enter your post-discount price for the most accurate taxable amount.

Baltimore Combined Sales Tax Calculator

What this calculator does

Baltimore shoppers often expect a stack of city, county, and state taxes, but Maryland centralizes sales tax at the state level. The combined Baltimore rate is therefore the statewide 6%, with no separate local add-on. This tool computes the exact tax and grand total for a purchase, and accounts for the most common Maryland exemption categories.

How it works

The core formula is straightforward:

tax   = taxable_amount * rate
total = taxable_amount + tax

The rate depends on the item type under Maryland law:

Standard goods and prepared food: 6%
Unprepared grocery staples: exempt (0%)
Alcoholic beverages: 9%

The calculator applies the correct rate based on your selection. Because Maryland prohibits county and municipal sales taxes, the Baltimore “combined” rate never exceeds the state rate for a given category.

Example and notes

For a $100 standard purchase: tax = 100 * 0.06 = $6.00, total = $106.00. For a $100 alcohol purchase: tax = 100 * 0.09 = $9.00, total = $109.00. For $100 of unprepared groceries: tax = $0.00, total = $100.00. Maryland’s exemption line can be subtle — candy, soda, and prepared deli items are taxable even though raw produce is not. Always verify category treatment with the Comptroller of Maryland for unusual items.