Kansas Sales Tax Calculator

Kansas rates: state, city and county

Kansas charges a 6.5% state sales tax, and cities and counties add their own voter-approved taxes, giving an average combined rate of 8.71% and a top rate of 10.75%. Only cities and counties can levy a local sales tax in Kansas, and a majority of voters must approve it at an election.

State law caps how much each layer can add:

The Kansas Department of Revenue republishes the full list of city, county and special jurisdiction rates every quarter, with changes taking effect on January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. For a single address, the department’s Address Tax Rate Locator is the quickest check.

• City tax: in 0.05% steps, up to 2.0% for general purposes plus up to 1.0% for special purposes
• County tax: in 0.25% steps, up to 1.0%, plus up to 1% more for health care services

Groceries: 0% state tax since 2025, but local tax still applies

Kansas phased its state sales tax on food and food ingredients down to zero under 2022 House Bill 2106. The state food rate went from the 6.5% general rate to 4% on January 1, 2023, to 2% on January 1, 2024, and to 0% on January 1, 2025. The tax was not repealed; the state rate was cut to zero, and every local sales tax still applies, including those of special districts such as community improvement and transportation development districts.

Two points catch shoppers out. First, city and county sales taxes still apply to groceries, so a Kansas grocery receipt usually shows the local rate only, about 2.21% on average. Second, most prepared food, including restaurant meals and food sold hot, is still taxed at the full 6.5% state rate plus local tax. Publication KS-1223 lists a few kinds of prepared food that do get the reduced state rate, so check it if you sell food.

Worked example: a Kansas grocery run

Say you spend $150 on groceries and $20 on hot prepared food in a town where local taxes total 2.21%. The groceries carry only local tax: $3.32. The prepared food carries the full combined rate of 8.71%: $1.74. Total tax: $5.06. Before 2023, all $170 would have been taxed at the full combined rate, $14.81.

To remove tax from a general merchandise receipt, divide by 1 plus the combined rate. At 8.71%, a $217.75 receipt is $200.30 of goods and $17.45 of tax.

Vehicles: the higher of two local rates

Kansas taxes vehicle purchases at the higher of the rate where the dealer is located and the rate at your residence, if that is where the vehicle is registered. If your home rate is higher than the dealer’s, you pay the difference to the County Treasurer when you register the vehicle.

If you buy from a private individual, there is no dealer to collect the tax, so you pay the full sales tax to the County Treasurer at registration. On a $20,000 used car at 8.71%, that is about $1,742.00, so budget for it along with title and tag fees.

Compensating use tax and online sellers

When you buy a taxable item from an out-of-state seller that does not charge at least the 6.5% state rate, you owe Kansas Consumers’ Compensating Use Tax. It is based on the total cost, including postage, shipping, handling and transportation charges. Individuals report it on line 18 of Form K-40.

Kansas uses destination-based sourcing for delivered goods, so a remote seller should charge the combined rate at your delivery address, not the seller’s location. Kansas does not have a sales tax holiday.

Kansas City: two states, two tax systems

The Kansas City metro sits on both sides of the state line, and the tax rules differ. Kansas City, Missouri, has a combined rate of 8.975%; Kansas's average combined rate is 8.71%. Groceries are where the gap is widest: Kansas charges no state tax on food (local tax still applies), while Missouri charges a reduced 1.225% state rate on food plus full local taxes.

For vehicles, both states look at where you live: Missouri charges the local tax of your home city or county, and Kansas charges the higher of the dealer’s rate and your home rate.

Mistakes to avoid when estimating Kansas tax

A few Kansas-specific traps:

• Assuming groceries are tax-free. Only the state rate went to zero; city and county taxes still apply.
• Applying the grocery treatment to a hot deli meal. Most prepared food is taxed at the full state rate plus local tax.
• Using the dealer’s rate when your home rate is higher. Kansas collects the difference when you register the vehicle.
• Using an old rate. Local rates can change every quarter, so check the Address Tax Rate Locator for the current one.