The Louisiana Sales Tax Calculator helps you quickly determine the sales tax on a purchase in any parish or city in Louisiana. You can calculate sales tax by adding it to a pre-tax amount or removing it from a total amount.
Louisiana Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax for all parishes and cities in Louisiana with accurate rates
Total Amount
Tax Amount
Pre-Tax Amount
Total Tax Rate
Removing Tax: Pre-Tax = Amount ÷ (1 + Tax Rate)
The Louisiana Sales Tax Calculator helps you quickly determine the sales tax on a purchase in any parish or city in Louisiana. You can calculate sales tax by adding it to a pre-tax amount or removing it from a total amount.
When adding sales tax:
- Tax Amount = Pre-Tax Amount × Tax Rate
- Total Amount = Pre-Tax Amount + Tax Amount
When removing sales tax:
- Pre-Tax Amount = Total Amount ÷ (1 + Tax Rate)
- Tax Amount = Total Amount – Pre-Tax Amount
Louisiana has a state sales tax rate of 4.45%, with additional local taxes that vary by parish and city. This calculator combines both state and local tax rates for accurate calculations.
Adding Sales Tax Example
Let’s say you want to calculate sales tax on a $100 purchase in Orleans Parish with a total tax rate of 9.45% (4.45% state + 5.00% local):
Pre-Tax Amount = $100
Tax Rate = 9.45% or 0.0945
Calculate the tax amount:
Tax Amount = $100 × 0.0945 = $9.45
Calculate the total amount:
Total Amount = $100 + $9.45 = $109.45
Removing Sales Tax Example
Now, let’s say you have a total amount of $109.45 for a purchase in Orleans Parish and want to calculate the pre-tax amount and tax:
Total Amount = $109.45
Tax Rate = 9.45% or 0.0945
Calculate the pre-tax amount:
Pre-Tax Amount = $109.45 ÷ (1 + 0.0945) = $109.45 ÷ 1.0945 = $100.00
Calculate the tax amount:
Tax Amount = $109.45 – $100.00 = $9.45
Hotel/Motel Tax Example
In New Orleans, hotel/motel stays have an additional 4.00% local tax on top of the regular sales tax. Let’s calculate tax on a $100 hotel room:
Pre-Tax Amount = $100
Tax Rate = 13.45% (4.45% state + 5.00% parish + 4.00% hotel) or 0.1345
Calculate the tax amount:
Tax Amount = $100 × 0.1345 = $13.45
Calculate the total amount:
Total Amount = $100 + $13.45 = $113.45
Louisiana Sales Tax Rates
Louisiana has a state sales tax rate of 4.45%, which is uniform across the state. In addition, parishes and cities may impose local sales taxes of varying rates. Some jurisdictions also have special district taxes for specific purposes, such as hotel/motel taxes, food and beverage taxes, and tourism taxes.
State Rate
Parish Tax
Special District Tax
Combined Range
Major Louisiana Parishes and Their Tax Rates
| Parish | State Tax | Local Tax | Total Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Jefferson Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Caddo Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Calcasieu Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Lafayette Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Ouachita Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Bossier Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| St. Tammany Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Lafourche Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Terrebonne Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Rapides Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Iberville Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Livingston Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Tangipahoa Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| St. Charles Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| St. John the Baptist Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| St. James Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Ascension Parish | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Acadia Parish | 4.45% | 4.00% | 8.45% |
Major Louisiana Cities and Their Tax Rates
| City | State Tax | Local Tax | Total Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Baton Rouge | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Shreveport | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Lafayette | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Lake Charles | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Kenner | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Bossier City | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Monroe | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Alexandria | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Marrero | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Chalmette | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Harvey | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Houma | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| LaPlace | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Slidell | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Terrytown | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Gretna | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Metairie | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Opelousas | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
| Ruston | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% |
Louisiana Sales Tax Exemptions
Louisiana provides several exemptions from sales tax for certain types of goods and services. Some common exemptions include:
- Prescription Drugs: All prescription medications are exempt from sales tax
- Food: Most food for home consumption is exempt from state sales tax (but may be subject to local taxes)
- Medical Devices: Prosthetics, wheelchairs, and other medical devices
- Utilities: Residential electricity, natural gas, and water
- Manufacturing Equipment: Equipment used directly in manufacturing
- Farm Equipment: Machinery and equipment used in agricultural production
- Newspapers and Magazines: Print media sold by subscription or at newsstands
- Religious and Charitable Organizations: Purchases by qualifying organizations
- Government Agencies: Purchases by federal, state, and local governments
Louisiana Sales Tax Holidays
Louisiana has an annual sales tax holiday that typically occurs on the first Friday and Saturday of August. During this period, certain items are exempt from sales tax, including:
- Clothing and footwear priced under $100 per item
- School supplies priced under $50 per item
- Computers and computer peripherals priced under $3,000 per item
The sales tax holiday is designed to help families save money on back-to-school purchases. It’s important to note that the exemption applies only to personal use and not to business purchases.
Understanding Louisiana Sales Tax
What is Louisiana Sales Tax?
Louisiana has a state sales tax rate of 4.45%, which is uniform across the state. In addition to the state tax, parishes and cities may impose local sales taxes of varying rates. Louisiana also has special district taxes for specific purposes, such as hotel/motel taxes, food and beverage taxes, and tourism taxes.
Local Tax Variations
Louisiana allows parishes to impose local sales taxes ranging from 4.00% to 5.00%. Cities can also add their own local sales taxes on top of parish taxes. Some jurisdictions may also have special district taxes for specific purposes, such as hotel/motel taxes, food and beverage taxes, and tourism taxes.
Tax Collection
Sales tax in Louisiana is collected by sellers at the point of sale and remitted to the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Sellers must register with the state and obtain a sales tax permit before collecting tax.
Use Tax
Louisiana use tax applies when sales tax has not been paid on taxable items purchased outside the state for use in Louisiana. The use tax rate is the same as the sales tax rate that would have applied if the purchase was made within the state.
Business Registration
Businesses selling taxable goods or services in Louisiana must register for a sales tax permit with the Louisiana Department of Revenue. Registration can be done online through the Louisiana Department of Revenue website.
Filing Requirements
Sales tax returns in Louisiana are typically filed monthly, quarterly, or annually, depending on the business’s tax liability. Filing is done through the Louisiana Department of Revenue’s online system, and payments are due by the 20th of the month following the reporting period.
Louisiana Sales Tax for Businesses
Nexus Requirements
Businesses must collect Louisiana sales tax if they have nexus in the state. Nexus can be established through physical presence, economic activity, or other connections. Louisiana follows economic nexus rules, requiring out-of-state sellers to collect tax if they have more than $100,000 in sales into the state in the previous calendar year.
Marketplace Facilitators
Marketplace facilitators like Amazon and eBay are required to collect and remit sales tax on behalf of third-party sellers selling into Louisiana. This applies to marketplace facilitators with more than $100,000 in sales into the state.
Exemption Certificates
Businesses purchasing items for resale can provide exemption certificates to sellers to avoid paying sales tax. Louisiana has a specific form that must be completed and provided to the seller at the time of purchase.
Shipping and Handling
In Louisiana, shipping and handling charges are generally taxable if they are part of the sale of tangible personal property. If the charges are separately stated and related to transportation services, they may be exempt.
Penalties and Interest
Louisiana imposes penalties for late filing and late payment of sales tax. The penalty is 5% of the tax due for late filing, plus interest at the rate of 1.25% per month. Failure to file or pay can result in additional penalties and legal action.
Tax Calculation Services
Given the complexity of Louisiana’s sales tax system with local option taxes and special district taxes, many businesses use automated tax calculation services to ensure accurate collection and remittance of sales tax.