$5,000 taxable spending
- Delaware
- $0.00
- US avg.
- $376.50
- Difference
- −$376.50
All states
Updated July 2026Combined rank #47
Updated July 2026Combined rank #47Delaware Sales Tax Rate 2026
0% statewide + 0% average local = 0% combined.
By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026
0%
State rate
0%
Average local
0%
Combined
#47
National rank
Delaware sales tax snapshot
Delaware's general statewide rate is 0%. After the population-weighted local adjustment of 0%, its estimated combined average is 0%, ranking #47 nationally.
State rate
0%
No statewide sales tax
Average local
0%
No average local add-on
Combined average
0%
State + weighted local
National rank
#47
Highest combined rate = #1
Compare Delaware with another state
Compare any two states
State, local, and combined rates with purchase and annual-spending differences.
Sales tax examples in Delaware
Estimates use the 0% statewide average for a general taxable purchase.
| Pre-tax price | Estimated tax | Total after tax |
|---|---|---|
| $25 | $0.00 | $25.00 |
| $50 | $0.00 | $50.00 |
| $100 | $0.00 | $100.00 |
| $500 | $0.00 | $500.00 |
| $1,000 | $0.00 | $1,000.00 |
Price$25
Tax$0.00
Total$25.00
Price$50
Tax$0.00
Total$50.00
Price$100
Tax$0.00
Total$100.00
Price$500
Tax$0.00
Total$500.00
Price$1,000
Tax$0.00
Total$1,000.00
How the combined rate works
Delaware's combined general rate is 0% because both the statewide and average local general sales tax rates are 0%. Separate product, industry, or regulatory taxes are outside this figure.
What can change the tax charged
Delaware has no general state or local sales tax, but lodging, fuel, vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, utilities, and other categories can have separate taxes or fees.
How Delaware sales tax compares nationally
At 0%, Delaware's population-weighted combined rate is 7.53% below the 7.53% US average. Its combined rank is #47, where #1 represents the highest average state and local rate.
Delaware has a 0% statewide rate and a 0% average local rate for general sales tax. The 0% combined figure covers general sales tax, not every special tax or fee.
Delaware's 0% general rate does not eliminate every government charge. Product-specific excise taxes, lodging taxes, vehicle charges, and taxes owed to other states can still affect a purchase.
Estimated annual sales tax impact in Delaware
The table applies the 0% combined average to different amounts of taxable spending. It is not a household tax bill: actual spending, exemptions, and local rates vary.
| Annual taxable spending | Delaware estimate | At US average | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5,000 | $0.00 | $376.50 | −$376.50 |
| $10,000 | $0.00 | $753.00 | −$753.00 |
| $20,000 | $0.00 | $1,506.00 | −$1,506.00 |
| $40,000 | $0.00 | $3,012.00 | −$3,012.00 |
$10,000 taxable spending
- Delaware
- $0.00
- US avg.
- $753.00
- Difference
- −$753.00
$20,000 taxable spending
- Delaware
- $0.00
- US avg.
- $1506.00
- Difference
- −$1506.00
$40,000 taxable spending
- Delaware
- $0.00
- US avg.
- $3012.00
- Difference
- −$3012.00
Key takeaways — Delaware sales tax
- Delaware's 2026 statewide general sales tax is 0%; the population-weighted combined average is 0% (national rank #47).
- Delaware has no general state or local sales tax in this comparison (0% combined).
- That combined average is 7.53% below the 7.53% US population-weighted average.
- On a $100 general taxable purchase at the combined average, estimated tax is $0.00 (total $100.00). On $1,000 it is about $0.00.
- Among bordering areas, combined averages range from 6% in Maryland to 6.6% in New Jersey.
- Shoppers still face lodging, fuel, vehicle, alcohol, tobacco, and other special taxes — and may owe tax when buying or using goods in another state.
Delaware vs neighboring states
Combined averages for states that share a border with Delaware. Delaware is 0% vs the 7.53% US average.
| State | Combined | vs DE | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 0% | — | This page |
 Maryland | 6% | +6% | vs DE |
 Pennsylvania | 6.34% | +6.34% | vs DE |
 New Jersey | 6.6% | +6.6% | vs DE |
Monthly taxable spending in Delaware
Estimated sales tax at the 0% combined average. Exemptions and local rates can change results.
$200 / month taxable
$0.00 / mo tax
~$0.00 / year
$500 / month taxable
$0.00 / mo tax
~$0.00 / year
$1,000 / month taxable
$0.00 / mo tax
~$0.00 / year
How to read this page
Delaware sales tax overview (2026)
Delaware is one of the jurisdictions with a 0% general state and local sales tax in the 2026 Tax Foundation table. That does not mean every purchase is tax-free: special product taxes and out-of-state obligations still matter.
Nationally, Delaware ranks #47 by combined average (where #1 is highest). Relative to the 7.53% US average, Delaware sits 7.53% below. On $20,000 of taxable spending, the estimated sales tax is about $0.00 in Delaware versus $1,506.00 at the US average.
Use this page for planning and comparison, then confirm address-level rates and product taxability with the Delaware revenue agency before invoicing or filing.
Special taxes when there is no general sales tax
Delaware's 0% general combined rate means ordinary retail sales tax is not collected statewide in this comparison.
Expect separate rules for lodging, motor fuel, vehicles, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, utilities, and tourism-related fees.
Residents and businesses can still owe sales or use tax to other states when goods are delivered or used there.
Shopping and budget impact in Delaware
At the 0% combined average, every $100 of general taxable spending adds about $0.00 in tax. Scale that to monthly habits with the examples below — remember groceries, medicine, and services may be taxed differently.
Nearby Maryland averages 6% combined — compare product rules before assuming a border trip saves money.
Large purchases (vehicles, appliances, furniture) amplify small rate differences. Run the amount through the sales tax calculator with Delaware selected, then confirm any trade-in credits or special vehicle taxes with DMV/revenue guidance.
Sales tax notes for sellers in Delaware
Delaware generally does not require collection of a statewide general sales tax, but sellers can still create economic or physical nexus in other states and may need to collect tax on shipments there.
Keep exemption and resale certificates, map taxable vs nontaxable SKUs (including digital goods and shipping), and do not rely on the 0% average as an invoice rate.
For multi-state catalogs, pair this profile with compare pages against your top destination states and the live sales tax calculator.
Who this Delaware sales tax page helps
Useful if…
- •Shoppers estimating tax on everyday purchases or big-ticket items in Delaware.
- •Households comparing Delaware with neighboring states before a move or weekend shopping trip.
- •Remote sellers checking whether Delaware's rate and local structure look high or low nationally.
- •Students and researchers needing a 2026 combined-rate snapshot with rank and US-average context.
Use official tools if…
- •You need an address-exact rate for an invoice, audit, or vehicle title — use an official lookup.
- •Your item may be exempt, reduced-rate, or holiday-eligible (groceries, Rx, clothing, school supplies).
- •You are modeling employer cost, lodging occupancy tax, or fuel excise — those sit outside general sales tax.
- •Your contract uses a custom local district rate above the max shown in the midyear table.
Delaware sales tax checklist
Quick steps before you treat the combined average as a final invoice rate.
- 1Confirm whether your purchase is a general taxable retail sale in Delaware.
- 2Confirm no special district, lodging, or product tax applies even if the general local add-on is 0%.
- 3Estimate tax with the 0% combined average, then refine in the sales tax calculator.
- 4If shopping across the border, compare Delaware with Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey on the dedicated compare pages.
- 5Businesses: verify nexus, marketplace rules, and filing frequency with the Delaware revenue agency.
- 6Keep documentation for exemptions, resale certificates, and use-tax self-assessment when sellers do not collect.
Purchases that may follow different Delaware tax rules
Delaware has no general sales tax, but people still need to check special taxes, fees, and transactions connected to other states.
Ordinary retail purchases
Delaware does not impose a general state or local sales tax on ordinary in-state retail purchases.
Purchases outside the state
A purchase made, delivered, or used in another state can be subject to that state's sales or use tax even when the buyer lives in Delaware.
Online orders
Orders delivered to a Delaware address generally have no Delaware general sales tax, but sourcing and special-product rules still matter.
Vehicles and registration
Vehicle privilege, use, registration, title, or transportation-related taxes and fees can apply separately from general sales tax.
Lodging and excise taxes
Hotels, fuel, alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, utilities, and tourism activity may face dedicated state or local taxes.
Business obligations elsewhere
Delaware sellers can still create sales tax nexus in other states and may need to collect tax on orders shipped there.
How to check special taxes and out-of-state obligations
Delaware's general rate is 0%, but special taxes and obligations to other states still require transaction-specific review:
- 1
Identify the charge
Confirm whether the purchase falls under a special product, lodging, vehicle, excise, or regulatory tax.
- 2
Check where it is sourced
A transaction connected to another state may be taxable there even though Delaware's general rate is 0%.
- 3
Read official guidance
Use the Delaware revenue agency and relevant local authority for special taxes and fees.
- 4
Keep documentation
Businesses should retain invoices, sourcing evidence, and records supporting why general sales tax was not collected.
Sales tax vs. use tax
Delaware does not impose a general sales or use tax. A resident can still pay another state's tax when a purchase occurs, is delivered, or is used there, and specialized Delaware taxes or fees may apply to selected categories.
Information for sellers
Delaware sellers generally do not collect Delaware general sales tax, but they can create nexus in other states and may need to collect tax on orders shipped there. Special Delaware industry taxes and fees can also apply.
Delaware sales tax FAQs
State and combined rates, local add-ons, ranking, purchase examples, groceries, and online orders.
Delaware has a 0% statewide general rate and a 0% population-weighted combined average in 2026.
The combined average is 0%: 0% statewide plus a 0% weighted local adjustment.
The Tax Foundation table shows no average local add-on for Delaware. Special product or excise taxes may still apply.
At the combined statewide average, the estimated tax is $0.00, making the total $100.00 for a general taxable purchase.
Delaware ranks #47 by population-weighted combined state and local rate, where #1 is the highest rate. Equal combined rates may share a Tax Foundation rank or receive consecutive ranks.
Delaware has no general state or local sales tax, so ordinary grocery purchases are not subject to a general sales tax. Product-specific excise or local specialty taxes can still have separate rules.
An ordinary taxable purchase delivered to Delaware generally has no Delaware general sales tax because the state has a 0% general rate. Tax may still apply if the item is delivered to, used in, or sourced to another taxing state, or if a special product tax applies.
The 0% figure accurately reflects the absence of a general Delaware state and local sales tax in this comparison. It does not mean every government charge is zero; lodging, fuel, vehicles, alcohol, and other categories can have separate taxes or fees.
Delaware's 0% combined average is 7.53% below the 7.53% US population-weighted average. Rank #47 (#1 = highest).
At the combined average, about $0.00. At the US average rate the same spending is about $1,506.00 — a difference of $1,506.00 (lower in Delaware).
Delaware has no general sales tax in this table, but special taxes and fees can still apply, and purchases tied to other states can be taxable there.
Delaware averages 0%. Nearby combined averages include Maryland 6%, Pennsylvania 6.34%, New Jersey 6.6%. Open a compare page for purchase examples and annual gaps.
Delaware has no general use tax paired with a general sales tax in this comparison, but you may still owe tax to another state depending on where the goods were purchased, delivered, or used.
Compare Delaware with similar-rate states
These states have the closest combined average rates in the current table.
Estimates only; verify the exact jurisdiction rate and product taxability with the Delaware revenue agency before invoicing, filing, or making a large purchase.