Waterbury Sales Tax
Connecticut. Combined state + county + city. Category exemptions and how it compares to neighboring states.
Category exemptions in Connecticut
What gets taxed and what's exempt — these rules apply across the entire state of Connecticut, including Waterbury.
| Category | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Exempt | Unprepared food at grocery stores. |
| Clothing | Taxed (full rate) | Items under $50 exempt during back-to-school week |
| Prescription drugs | Exempt | Prescribed medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. |
Connecticut sales tax holiday
At 6.35% combined rate, a $500 clothing purchase normally costs $31.75in tax. On the tax-free weekend (within caps), that's $0.00.
Sales tax on common amounts
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.64 | $10.63 |
| $50 | $3.17 | $53.17 |
| $100 | $6.35 | $106.35 |
| $250 | $15.88 | $265.88 |
| $500 | $31.75 | $531.75 |
| $1,000 | $63.50 | $1063.50 |
| $5,000 | $317.50 | $5317.50 |
| $10,000 | $635.00 | $10635.00 |
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 Connecticut.
| State | Reference city | Rate | vs Waterbury | $1,000 savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Connecticut (current) | Waterbury | 6.35% | — | — |
| Massachusetts | Boston | 6.25% | -0.10% | $1.00 |
| Rhode Island | Providence | 7.00% | +0.65% | — |
| New York | Rochester | 8.00% | +1.65% | — |
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 Connecticut
Common questions
- What is the total sales tax rate in Waterbury?
- Waterbury, Connecticut charges a combined sales tax of 6.35%. That's 6.35% state tax plus 0.00% local (county + city + special district) on top.
- Are groceries taxed in Waterbury?
- Connecticut exempts unprepared groceries from state sales tax. Hot or prepared food (deli, restaurant, hot bar) is still taxable at the full combined rate.
- Is clothing taxed in Waterbury?
- Yes — Connecticut taxes clothing at the full combined rate of 6.35%. Look for the Sales Tax Free Week (Third Sunday-Saturday in August) when clothing & footwear under $100 per item are tax-free.
- How do I save on sales tax when shopping in Waterbury?
- Three levers: (1) the Sales Tax Free Week in Third Sunday-Saturday in August, (2) buy exempt categories (groceries, 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 Connecticut Department of Revenue for current rules. Methodology → Connecticut state rate →
Last reviewed: · Beforeview Editorial · editorial policy