Dover Sales Tax
Delaware. Combined state + county + city. Category exemptions and how it compares to neighboring states.
Category exemptions in Delaware
What gets taxed and what's exempt — these rules apply across the entire state of Delaware, including Dover.
| Category | Rule | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | No state sales tax | No sales tax of any kind |
| Clothing | No state sales tax | Everyday apparel and footwear. |
| Prescription drugs | No state sales tax | Prescribed medications dispensed by a licensed pharmacist. |
Sales tax on common amounts
| Purchase | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.00 | $10.00 |
| $50 | $0.00 | $50.00 |
| $100 | $0.00 | $100.00 |
| $250 | $0.00 | $250.00 |
| $500 | $0.00 | $500.00 |
| $1,000 | $0.00 | $1000.00 |
| $5,000 | $0.00 | $5000.00 |
| $10,000 | $0.00 | $10000.00 |
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 Delaware.
| State | Reference city | Rate | vs Dover | $1,000 savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware (current) | Dover | 0.00% | — | — |
| Pennsylvania | Allentown | 6.00% | +6.00% | — |
| Maryland | Baltimore | 6.00% | +6.00% | — |
| New Jersey | Newark | 6.63% | +6.63% | — |
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 Delaware
Common questions
- What is the total sales tax rate in Dover?
- Dover, Delaware charges a combined sales tax of 0.00%. That's 0.00% state tax plus 0.00% local (county + city + special district) on top.
- Are groceries taxed in Dover?
- Yes — Delaware taxes groceries at the full rate. No sales tax of any kind
- Is clothing taxed in Dover?
- Yes — Delaware taxes clothing at the full combined rate of 0.00%.
- How do I save on sales tax when shopping in Dover?
- Three levers: (1) shop online from a state with no sales tax, (2) buy exempt categories (prescriptions), (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 Delaware Department of Revenue for current rules. Methodology → Delaware state rate →
Last reviewed: · Beforeview Editorial · editorial policy