By the Numbers: U.S. Sales Tax Rates and Rules Reach New Highs in 2026

Rising Sales Tax Rates Signal a New Era of Tax Volatility

Businesses are operating in an increasingly dynamic tax environment, where governments are not only adjusting rates but also expanding tax bases.

By the Numbers: U.S. Sales Tax Rates and Rules Reach New Highs in 2026

By the Numbers: U.S. Sales Tax Rates and Rules Reach New Highs in 2026 cmcmullin Thu, 08/13/2026 - 09:02 Blog Post Chris Hall examines rising 2026 U.S. sales tax rates and what they signal for future compliance challenges. For the first time in four years, the combined average U.S. sales tax rate climbed during the first half of 2026. In the past six months, average rate increases occurred across the board, at the state, county, city, and distr…