Pennsylvania Reverse Sales Tax Calculator
Pennsylvania has a 6% state sales tax, and most of the state stays at exactly that — 6% — with no local additions. The two exceptions that matter are Philadelphia (8%) and Allegheny County which includes Pittsburgh (7%). If you're not in those two areas, every other part of Pennsylvania is just 6%. That makes PA one of the more straightforward states for most purchases.
Philadelphia's 8% rate comes from a 2% city sales tax layered on top of the 6% state rate. Allegheny County (Pittsburgh and surrounding municipalities) adds 1%, bringing that area to 7%. Everywhere else in Pennsylvania — Allentown, Erie, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Scranton — the rate is the flat 6% state rate with no local addition. The calculator defaults to 6.34% (the statewide average), but switch to 8% for Philadelphia, 7% for Pittsburgh, or 6% for the rest of the state.
Current Pennsylvania Sales Tax Rates
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State rate | 6.00% |
| Average local rate | 0.34% |
| Average combined rate | 6.34% |
| Location | Combined Rate |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia | 8.00% |
| Pittsburgh | 7.00% |
| Allentown | 6.00% |
| Erie | 6.00% |
| Harrisburg | 6.00% |
What's Taxable in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has broad exemptions that set it apart from many states. Clothing is fully exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax — no per-item limit, no time restriction. Groceries (unprepared food) are exempt. Prescription and most over-the-counter drugs are exempt. Restaurant meals and prepared food are taxable at the full combined rate. These exemptions mean that a typical trip to a department store in Pennsylvania might result in surprisingly little tax compared to neighboring states.
Worked Example
You bought electronics in Philadelphia. Total on the receipt: $394.17 at Philadelphia's combined rate of 8.00%.
$394.17 ÷ 1.08 = $364.97 (pre-tax price)
$394.17 − $364.97 = $29.20 (tax amount)
That's $29.20 in sales tax on a $364.97 purchase before tax. The main calculator handles this automatically — enter the total and your rate, and the pre-tax price and tax amount appear instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Philadelphia has a combined sales tax rate of 8% — 6% Pennsylvania state plus 2% City of Philadelphia. This is significantly higher than the rest of Pennsylvania, which is either 6% (most of the state) or 7% (Allegheny County/Pittsburgh area). For Philadelphia purchases, divide your total by 1.08 to find the pre-tax price.
No. Pennsylvania fully exempts clothing from sales tax — no dollar limit per item, no seasonal restriction, no specific category rules. All clothing is tax-free year-round across the entire state. This is one of the more generous clothing exemptions in the US (Massachusetts exempts under $175; New Jersey under $110; Pennsylvania has no limit at all). Accessories like jewelry and handbags are taxable.
No. Food for human consumption (unprepared groceries) is exempt from Pennsylvania sales tax. Prepared food sold hot, restaurant meals, and food sold for immediate consumption are taxable at the full rate. Prescription drugs and many over-the-counter drugs are also exempt. Candy, gum, and soft drinks are taxable. The grocery exemption applies to food you buy at a supermarket for home preparation.
For most of Pennsylvania (outside Philadelphia and Allegheny County), divide your total by 1.06. For Philadelphia: divide by 1.08. For Allegheny County (Pittsburgh): divide by 1.07. Example — Philadelphia: $394.17 ÷ 1.08 = $364.97 pre-tax. Tax = $394.17 − $364.97 = $29.20. Use the custom rate field in the calculator above to enter your exact local rate.