What is the sales tax rate in Cleveland?

The combined sales tax rate in Cleveland is 8.0%. That is the 5.75% Ohio state rate plus a 2.25% Cuyahoga County and regional transit authority levy. The same combined rate applies across most of Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.

Are groceries taxed in Cleveland?

Most unprepared food bought for off-premises consumption is exempt from Ohio sales tax. Tick the grocery box to model that exemption. Prepared food, dine-in meals, alcohol, and soft drinks are generally taxable at the full rate.

Why is the rate higher than the Ohio state rate?

Ohio's state rate is 5.75%, but counties and transit authorities add their own piggyback levies. Cuyahoga County and its transit authority add 2.25%, which is why the combined Cleveland rate reaches 8.0%.

Does this work for online orders shipped to Cleveland?

Yes. Ohio is a destination-based state, so online purchases shipped to a Cleveland address are generally taxed at the 8.0% combined rate. Enter the order subtotal to estimate the tax the retailer should collect.

Is the rate the same everywhere in Cuyahoga County?

It is the same across most of the county at 8.0%, but a few special taxing districts can differ. The rate field is editable so you can match the exact rate for a specific address if it varies.

Cleveland Combined Sales Tax Calculator

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This calculator computes the total Cleveland sales tax on a purchase using the 8.0% combined rate, with an optional grocery exemption. It is handy for shoppers checking a receipt, sellers estimating tax to collect, or anyone budgeting an Ohio purchase.

How it works

The combined rate is applied to the taxable amount, then added to the price:

taxable = grocery_exempt ? 0 : amount
tax     = taxable * (rate / 100)
total   = amount + tax

The default 8.0% is Ohio’s 5.75% state rate plus the 2.25% Cuyahoga County and transit levy. Qualifying unprepared groceries are exempt, so ticking that box drops the tax to zero.

Example

A $100 taxable purchase at 8.0% adds $8.00 of tax for a $100 plus $8.00 = $108.00 total. The same $100 of qualifying groceries is exempt, so the tax is $0 and the total stays $100.

Notes

Ohio is destination-based, so the rate follows where the item is delivered or sold. A few special districts in Cuyahoga County can differ slightly, and the rate is editable so you can match a specific address.