Fort Smith Sales Tax
Arkansas. Combined state + county + city. Category exemptions and how it compares to neighboring states.
Category exemptions in Arkansas
What gets taxed and what's exempt — these rules apply across the entire state of Arkansas, including Fort Smith.
| Category | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Reduced rate | 0.125% state grocery tax (effectively eliminated); local tax still applies |
| Clothing | Taxed (full rate) | Everyday apparel and footwear. |
| Prescription drugs | Exempt | Prescribed medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. |
Arkansas sales tax holiday
At 9.75% combined rate, a $500 clothing purchase normally costs $48.75in tax. On the tax-free weekend (within caps), that's $0.00.
Sales tax on common amounts
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.98 | $10.97 |
| $50 | $4.88 | $54.88 |
| $100 | $9.75 | $109.75 |
| $250 | $24.38 | $274.38 |
| $500 | $48.75 | $548.75 |
| $1,000 | $97.50 | $1097.50 |
| $5,000 | $487.50 | $5487.50 |
| $10,000 | $975.00 | $10975.00 |
Border shopping — neighboring states
For larger purchases, driving to a neighboring state with lower sales tax can save real money. Top metro sales tax in each contiguous neighbor of Arkansas.
| State | Reference city | Rate | vs Fort Smith | $1,000 savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arkansas (current) | Fort Smith | 9.75% | — | — |
| Mississippi | Gulfport | 7.00% | -2.75% | $27.50 |
| Missouri | Columbia | 7.95% | -1.80% | $18.00 |
| Texas | Houston | 8.25% | -1.50% | $15.00 |
| Oklahoma | Tulsa | 8.52% | -1.23% | $12.30 |
| Tennessee | Nashville | 9.25% | -0.50% | $5.00 |
| Louisiana | Shreveport | 9.35% | -0.40% | $4.00 |
Use tax (state where you live) may still apply on out-of-state purchases for items shipped or for registered goods like vehicles. For everyday retail walked across the border, savings are realized at point of sale.
Other cities in Arkansas
Jonesboro has the lowest combined rate in our Arkansas coverage at 8.75% — that's 1.00% below Fort Smith ($10.00 less per $1,000 spent).
Common questions
- What is the total sales tax rate in Fort Smith?
- Fort Smith, Arkansas charges a combined sales tax of 9.75%. That's 6.50% state tax plus 3.25% local (county + city + special district) on top.
- Are groceries taxed in Fort Smith?
- Arkansas applies a reduced rate to groceries. 0.125% state grocery tax (effectively eliminated); local tax still applies
- Is clothing taxed in Fort Smith?
- Yes — Arkansas taxes clothing at the full combined rate of 9.75%. Look for the Sales Tax Holiday (First weekend of August) when clothing < $100, accessories < $50, school supplies, electronics are tax-free.
- How do I save on sales tax when shopping in Fort Smith?
- Three levers: (1) the Sales Tax Holiday in First weekend of August, (2) buy exempt categories (prescription drugs), (3) drive across the border if a nearby state has a lower rate.
Full data sources and formulas: /sources.
Estimate only — not tax advice. Local sales tax rates change frequently and may include special district levies not modeled here. Verify with the retailer or local taxing authority for large purchases. Category exemption rules and tax holidays change by year — check the Arkansas Department of Revenue for current rules. Methodology → Arkansas state rate →
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