Calculate meals tax on restaurant food, prepared food, and beverages for all 50 states and major counties. For restaurant owners filing monthly meals tax returns.
1
Location & Business Info
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2
Sales Figures
All food and beverage sales including dine-in, takeout, catering, and delivery for the period.
Employee meals, charitable sales, sales to tax-exempt orgs. Most restaurants enter $0.
Some states/localities tax alcohol at a different rate. Leave $0 if same rate applies.
3
Meals Tax Return Summary
Select your state and location, enter your food sales, then click Calculate Meals Tax Due →
Results match your state meals tax return form.
SALES SUMMARY —
Gross food & beverage sales
Of which: alcohol (if diff. rate)
Less: exempt sales
Net taxable sales
MEALS TAX CALCULATION
State meals tax rate
Local meals tax rate
Combined meals tax rate
Meals tax on food sales
Tax on alcohol (if diff. rate)
FILING CHECKLIST
1. Gross food & beverage sales
2. Less exempt sales
3. Net taxable sales
4. Meals tax rate applied
5. MEALS TAX DUE
TOTAL MEALS TAX DUE TO STATE
Meals Tax Rates — All 50 States (2026)
Prepared food and restaurant meals tax rates. Most states apply their standard sales tax rate to restaurant food. Some states have a separate higher meals tax rate. Local meals taxes can add significant additional amounts on top of the state rate — especially in Virginia, Massachusetts, South Carolina, and other states that authorize local meals taxes. Source: State revenue departments, Tax Foundation 2026, RestaurantCPAs.com.
State
State Meals/Prepared Food Rate
Local Meals Tax?
Notes
Filing Portal
⚠ For estimation only. Restaurant tax rules are complex — verify exact rates with your state DOR. Local meals taxes vary widely even within the same state. Consult a CPA for official filing guidance.