Delaware's Sales Tax Rate, Explained
Delaware's sales tax rate is 0%, full stop. There is no state rate, no county rate, no city rate, and no district rate. A purchase in Wilmington costs exactly its sticker price plus nothing, which is why Delaware is famous as a shopping destination.
The state still needs revenue, so it taxes businesses instead of shoppers through a gross receipts tax on business revenue. That tax is baked into prices behind the scenes, but it never appears as a line item on your receipt. Our Maryland Sales Tax Calculator shows what shoppers pay just across the southern border, where the rate is 6%.
What's Taxed and What's Exempt in Delaware
Nothing is subject to sales tax in Delaware because there is no sales tax to be subject to. Groceries, clothing, electronics, cars, restaurant meals, and services all ring up at exactly the listed price.
The gross receipts tax applies to sellers, not buyers, and it covers most business revenue including retail sales, services, and rentals. Businesses cannot itemize it on receipts the way a sales tax appears, so shoppers experience Delaware as purely tax-free.
Worked Example: A $1,000 Purchase in Wilmington
A $1,000 laptop bought in Wilmington is taxed at 0%: $1,000 x 0% = $0.00 in tax, for a $1,000.00 total. The sticker price is the final price, which is the entire appeal of shopping in Delaware.
| Item | Amount |
| Purchase price | $1,000.00 |
| Delaware combined rate (Wilmington) | 0% |
| Sales tax | $0.00 |
| Total at checkout | $1,000.00 |
The same laptop bought across the river in Pennsylvania would carry 6% or more. On a $1,000 purchase that is $60 or more in savings, which is why Delaware malls sit near the state borders.
Local Taxes: How Delaware's Total Adds Up
There are no local sales taxes in Delaware. Counties and cities cannot add a sales tax because the state has no sales tax framework for them to add to.
Local governments fund themselves through property taxes and other levies instead. For shoppers, the practical result is that the rate is 0% in every Delaware ZIP code without exception.
Online Shopping and Marketplace Rules in Delaware
Online sellers shipping to Delaware collect no sales tax, since there is none to collect. A Delaware delivery address is one of the few in America where checkout shows no tax line at all.
Delaware businesses still deal with the gross receipts tax on their revenue, and out-of-state sellers with no Delaware presence have no sales tax obligations there. Shoppers simply enjoy the zero rate.
Sales Tax Holidays in Delaware
Delaware has no sales tax holidays because there is no sales tax to suspend. Every day of the year is effectively a tax holiday for shoppers.
The state's real shopping events are the everyday kind: Delaware's malls and outlets near the Pennsylvania and New Jersey borders stay busy year-round with out-of-state shoppers chasing the 0% rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Delaware have a sales tax?
No. Delaware has no state or local sales tax, so the rate is 0% on all purchases.
What is Delaware's gross receipts tax?
A tax on business revenue that replaces the sales tax. It is paid by businesses, not itemized on receipts, so shoppers never see it directly.
Do I pay tax on online orders shipped to Delaware?
No sales tax is collected on shipments to Delaware addresses, since there is no sales tax in the state.
Are cars taxed in Delaware?
There is no sales tax on vehicles, but Delaware charges a document fee on vehicle purchases instead, currently 4.25% of the purchase price.
Why do people shop in Delaware?
With a 0% sales tax, big-ticket items like electronics, appliances, and clothing cost noticeably less than in neighboring Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Maryland.
Related Delaware and Sales Tax Tools
Check your take-home pay with the Delaware 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.
Delaware rate snapshot (0% - no sales tax). Sources: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates Midyear 2026. Figures reviewed for 2026. This calculator provides an estimate for planning purposes and is not tax advice.