Arkansas's Sales Tax Rate, Explained
Arkansas starts at 6.5% before a single local tax is added, which already ties it for one of the highest state rates in the country. Local taxes then add an average of 2.98%, producing a combined average near 9.48%, the fourth highest in the United States.
The high end gets steep. Little Rock sits at 9%, Fayetteville at 9.75%, and some cities climb to 11.625%, among the highest combined rates anywhere. To see how the Natural State compares with its neighbors, try our Missouri Sales Tax Calculator, Louisiana Sales Tax Calculator, or Mississippi Sales Tax Calculator.
What's Taxed and What's Exempt in Arkansas
Nearly everything tangible is taxable in Arkansas at the full rate: clothing, electronics, furniture, and vehicles. Prescription drugs are exempt, and many services escape taxation, though the state has been gradually expanding its list of taxable services.
The biggest 2026 change is groceries. Arkansas repealed its 0.125% state grocery tax effective January 1, 2026, so the state portion of food tax is now zero. County and city taxes on groceries still apply, so shoppers still see a small food tax on the receipt, just a smaller one than before.
Worked Example: A $1,000 Purchase in Little Rock
A $1,000 furniture set bought in Little Rock carries a 9% combined rate: $1,000 x 9% = $90.00 in tax, for a $1,090.00 total. The 6.5% state portion plus 2.5% in city and county taxes explains why the receipt feels heavy.
| Item | Amount |
| Purchase price | $1,000.00 |
| Arkansas combined rate (Little Rock) | 9% |
| Sales tax | $90.00 |
| Total at checkout | $1,090.00 |
A $150 grocery run at the same store now dodges the state tax entirely but still catches local taxes of a few percent, roughly $4 to $5. Run your address through the calculator above for the exact local number.
Local Taxes: How Arkansas's Total Adds Up
Arkansas cities and counties can each add up to several percent, and they use it. City taxes of 1% to 2% and county taxes around 0.5% to 1.5% are common, and some areas add special district levies for economic development on top.
Because the local layers vary so much, the difference between shopping in Little Rock and a smaller town twenty minutes away can exceed two percentage points. For expensive purchases, that gap is worth a short drive.
Online Shopping and Marketplace Rules in Arkansas
Remote sellers with more than $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions into Arkansas must collect the tax. Marketplace facilitators collect for their sellers, so online orders arrive with the correct destination rate already applied.
Arkansas is a destination-sourcing state, so the rate follows your delivery address. An order placed from a Bentonville warehouse but shipped to Little Rock is taxed at Little Rock's 9%.
Sales Tax Holidays in Arkansas
Arkansas holds its annual sales tax holiday on the first weekend of August. In 2026 that is August 1 and 2. Clothing and footwear under $100 per item, school supplies under $50, and certain electronics are exempt from both state and local tax during the weekend, and all retailers must participate.
The holiday is one of the more generous in the region because the local portion is waived too, unlike in some states where cities can opt out. Plan bigger back-to-school purchases for that weekend to save the full combined rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Arkansas's sales tax rate in 2026?
The state rate is 6.5%. The average combined rate with local taxes is about 9.48%. Little Rock is 9% and some cities reach 11.625%.
Are groceries taxed in Arkansas?
The state repealed its grocery tax effective January 1, 2026, so the state portion is 0%. Local city and county taxes on groceries still apply.
When is Arkansas's tax-free weekend?
The first weekend of August each year. In 2026 it falls on August 1 and 2, covering clothing, footwear, school supplies, and some electronics within price limits.
Why is Arkansas sales tax so high?
The 6.5% state rate is already near the top nationally, and local add-ons average nearly 3%. Arkansas leans on sales tax partly because its income and property taxes are comparatively modest.
Does Arkansas tax online purchases?
Yes. Sellers with over $100,000 in Arkansas sales or 200 transactions must collect. Marketplaces like Amazon and Walmart collect for their sellers at your local rate.
Related Arkansas and Sales Tax Tools
Check your take-home pay with the Arkansas Paycheck Calculator, since sales tax hits harder when budgets are tight, or estimate a big purchase with our Car Loan Calculator. Compare rates with the main Sales Tax Calculator or browse more free tools at USACalculator.
Arkansas rate snapshot (6.5% state rate, 9.48% average combined). Sources: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates Midyear 2026, The Shelby Report on 2026 grocery tax changes, Ceretax 2026 Sales Tax Holidays Guide. Figures reviewed for 2026. This calculator provides an estimate for planning purposes and is not tax advice.