Delaware Sales Tax Rates (2026)
Delaware (First State) has a statewide sales tax of 0%. The table below shows every state-level tax that can appear on a Delaware receipt.
| Tax | Rate |
|---|---|
| State sales tax | 0% |
| Average combined (state + local) | 0% |
| State Lodging Tax | 6.61% |
| Grocery food | Delaware applies the full 0% state sales tax to grocery food. Local sales tax may also apply. |
What Must Appear on a Delaware Receipt
Delaware does not mandate a specific receipt format for most retail transactions, but receipts used for tax deductions, expense reports, or insurance claims should include:
- Vendor name and address (the Delaware business location)
- Transaction date and time
- Itemized list of purchases with individual prices
- Subtotal, sales tax amount, and total
- Payment method (cash, card type, last 4 digits)
- For lodging: separate breakdown of room rate vs. each lodging tax
Sales Tax by Scenario in Delaware
Grocery purchases
Delaware applies the full 0% state sales tax to grocery food. Local sales tax may also apply.
Restaurant meals
Prepared food and restaurant meals in Delaware are subject to the full 0% state sales tax plus any local meal tax. Tips are not taxable and should be added after the tax line.
Hotel and lodging
Hotel receipts in Delaware typically show: room rate, state sales tax, and the lodging-specific taxes shown above. Total tax burden on a hotel night can reach approximately 6.61%.
Major Cities in Delaware
Sales tax varies by city and county across Delaware. The five largest metros where receipts are commonly issued:
Popular Receipt Templates for Delaware
Generate a receipt that matches major retailers' formats with Delaware sales tax pre-calculated:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax in Delaware?
Delaware has no statewide sales tax — it's one of five US states with a 0% general sales tax. Some local jurisdictions may impose limited sales taxes on specific categories.
How do I calculate Delaware sales tax?
Multiply the purchase amount by the Delaware sales tax rate. For a $100 purchase at the 0% state rate: tax = $0.00. Add any local sales tax for an accurate total. Use the calculator at the top of this page for an instant city-level breakdown.
Are groceries taxed in Delaware?
Delaware applies the full 0% state sales tax to grocery food. Local sales tax may also apply. Restaurant prepared food is always taxed at the full state rate regardless of grocery exemption status.
What is the hotel tax rate in Delaware?
Hotel and lodging in Delaware is subject to 0% state sales tax plus lodging-specific taxes: State Lodging Tax (6.61%). Combined hotel tax burden reaches approximately 6.61%.
How do I create a Delaware-compliant receipt?
Use the ReceiptEdit receipt maker. It supports Delaware sales tax rates and itemized receipts that meet expense report, tax deduction, and insurance claim requirements. Pre-fill the calculator above to send the amount + tax directly into the receipt builder.
Are digital receipts legal in Delaware?
Yes. Delaware accepts digital receipts (PDF, email confirmations, app screenshots) for sales tax records, returns, and IRS deductions, as long as they clearly show vendor, date, items, tax breakdown, and total. The IRS treats digital and paper receipts as equally valid.
What if my Delaware receipt is missing tax information?
Delaware retailers must show sales tax separately on receipts above a basic minimum. If the tax line is missing, request a corrected receipt from the merchant. For expense reimbursement or audits, use the receipt maker on this page to generate a properly formatted replacement with the correct Delaware tax breakdown.
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