Pennsylvania Sales Tax Reference Rates
Pennsylvania's state general rate is 6% in the July 1, 2026 reference data. The default is a dated state reference rate, not an address-specific lookup. The 6.34% population-weighted combined average is a comparison statistic, not a rate for a specific purchase.
Rate reference: Tax Foundation, July 1, 2026. Guidance reviewed September 10, 2026. For current and historical transaction rules, use Pennsylvania tax authority guidance.
| Reference | Rate or treatment |
|---|---|
| State general rate | 6% |
| Population-weighted combined average | 6.34% — comparison only; not used by the calculator |
| Grocery food | Qualifying grocery food is generally exempt from Pennsylvania state sales tax. Prepared food and other excluded products can be taxable; local treatment should be checked separately. |
| Hotel and lodging | Check the property address and stay dates; no single combined rate is provided. |
Grocery Purchases in Pennsylvania
Qualifying grocery food is generally exempt from Pennsylvania state sales tax. Prepared food and other excluded products can be taxable; local treatment should be checked separately. Read the official grocery guidance.
Restaurant Meals and Service Charges
The grocery treatment above does not establish the rate for a restaurant meal. Prepared-food definitions, local meal taxes and the treatment of tips or mandatory service charges can differ. Check the applicable rules and keep the restaurant-issued receipt.
Hotel and Lodging Taxes
Lodging can have separate state and local taxes, exemptions and fixed fees. This guide does not publish a single combined hotel rate. Use the property address and stay dates to check the relevant tax authority, and keep the hotel-issued folio. Check official lodging guidance.
Information to Keep with a Receipt
For useful records, preserve these details where available. This checklist is not a statement of mandatory receipt fields for every Pennsylvania transaction.
- Merchant name, location and transaction date
- Item descriptions, quantities and prices
- Subtotal, discounts, tax and total charged
- Payment confirmation and any relevant business purpose
- For a hotel stay, the original itemized folio
Checking Local Tax in Pennsylvania
For purchases in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Erie, Harrisburg, Wilkes Barre or elsewhere in Pennsylvania, a city name alone does not establish the rate. Check the transaction address and date with the tax authority. Then enter only additional local tax not already included in the base rate.
Receipt Templates
Choose a layout and enter the details supported by your records. Template links do not automatically select a state or tax rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the sales tax in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's state general rate is 6% in the July 1, 2026 reference data. The default is a dated state reference rate, not an address-specific lookup. The 6.34% population-weighted combined average is a comparison statistic, not a rate for a specific purchase.
How do I calculate Pennsylvania sales tax?
Find the applicable rate for the address, date and taxable items using the official guidance. Enter the taxable amount, base rate and any additional local rate above that base. The calculator multiplies the amount by the combined rate and rounds the tax to the nearest cent. It does not perform an address or city lookup.
Are groceries taxed in Pennsylvania?
Qualifying grocery food is generally exempt from Pennsylvania state sales tax. Prepared food and other excluded products can be taxable; local treatment should be checked separately. Official source.
What is the hotel tax in Pennsylvania?
Lodging can have separate state and local taxes, exemptions and fixed fees. This guide does not publish a single combined hotel rate. Use the property address and stay dates to check the relevant tax authority, and keep the hotel-issued folio. Official source.
Does a generated receipt prove an expense or qualify for reimbursement?
ReceiptEdit formats the information you enter. A generated document does not independently prove that a transaction occurred or guarantee acceptance by an employer, insurer, tax authority or FSA administrator. Keep seller-issued records and supporting evidence, and follow the recipient's requirements.
What if my receipt is missing tax information?
Ask the merchant for an itemized duplicate or a correction. Do not infer the original tax from a statewide average. If you create a personal reconstruction, identify it as such and retain the source records.
Format Your Receipt
Use your records to enter the purchase amount and tax in the receipt maker. Review the numbers before downloading a PDF or PNG.
Open Receipt Maker