How San Antonio sales tax is built up
Texas sets a statewide sales tax of 6.25% and lets local jurisdictions add up to 2% more. San Antonio and Bexar County have fully used that capacity, producing the maximum combined rate of 8.25%. This calculator applies that rate to your purchase, with the right exemption rules for groceries and prescriptions, and breaks out the state and local portions.
How it works
Taxable purchases are charged the full combined rate. Unprepared groceries and prescription drugs are exempt under Texas law, so they carry no tax. The math is:
rate = exempt ? 0 : 0.0825 (state 0.0625 + local 0.02)
tax = amount * rate
total = amount + taxWhen the item is taxable, the tool also splits the tax into the 6.25% state share and the 2% local share so you can see where the money goes.
Example and notes
A $100 taxable purchase incurs $8.25 in tax for a $108.25 total, split into $6.25 state and $2.00 local. The same $100 spent on unprepared groceries or a prescription is exempt, so you pay exactly $100. Be aware that prepared foods, candy, and soft drinks do not qualify for the grocery exemption and are taxed at the full rate. Online orders shipped to a San Antonio address are usually taxed at the same 8.25% under destination sourcing.