Sales tax in Howard County, Maryland
The sales tax rate in Howard County, Maryland is 6%. That is a 6% state rate, with no county rate on top: Howard County levies none, and it is the same at every address in the county.
What is the sales tax rate in Howard County?
| Maryland state rate | 6% |
|---|---|
| Combined rate | 6% |
Why the rate here is not the whole story
No local sales taxes anywhere in the state; groceries and prescription/OTC drugs are exempt.
How do I find the exact rate for an address in Howard County?
The rate is the same across Howard County, but if you are collecting tax it is worth confirming against the source. Use Maryland's own lookup. A vendor's calculator is not the state speaking.
Who has to collect sales tax in Howard County?
A seller with a physical presence in Maryland collects at the rate for the address where the sale takes place. A remote seller collects once it passes Maryland's economic nexus threshold, which is a separate question from the rate and is covered on our sales tax nexus checker. Marketplace facilitators generally collect on behalf of their sellers.
How does Howard County compare?
See Maryland sales tax for the statewide picture, including the average local rate and what is exempt. Property tax is a separate tax with separate rules: property tax in Howard County.
Sources
- Howard County rates: Comptroller of Maryland / Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates (Jan. 2026)
- Collected and verified September 10, 2026. Confidence: S on the rate components (P read on a primary agency page, S strong but indirect, U unverified).