Arkansas · AR · Money & taxes
Arkansas: Are groceries taxed?
Groceries exempt
Arkansas ended its state sales tax on groceries on January 1, 2026, but city and county sales taxes still apply.
Before 2026, Arkansas taxed groceries at a reduced state rate of 0.125%, compared with its 6.5% general state rate. Act 1008 of 2025 removed the state grocery tax starting January 1, 2026. Local sales taxes on groceries did not change.
What the law says
One of the most impactful new laws is Act 1008, the removal of 0.125% sales tax on groceries. This removes language regarding the tax from state laws; however, local sales taxes will remain unchanged.
Sources
- Arkansas Senate: Acts that come effective on January 1, 2026 Official · senate.arkansas.gov
- Arkansas DFA: State Sales & Use Tax Rates Official · dfa.arkansas.gov
- Arkansas DFA: State Sales & Use Tax Rate Changes Official · dfa.arkansas.gov
Confirm with the state
- Agency
- Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Sales and Use Tax
- Phone
- 501-682-1895
- Website
- dfa.arkansas.gov
How bordering states compare
- Louisiana Groceries exemptLouisiana exempts food for home consumption from its state sales tax, but parish and city sales taxes can still apply.
- Mississippi Taxed at a lower rateMississippi taxes groceries at 5%, lower than its 7% general sales tax rate.
- Missouri Taxed at a lower rateMissouri taxes food at a 1.225% state rate, compared with its 4.225% general state rate.
- Oklahoma Groceries exemptOklahoma ended its 4.5% state sales tax on groceries on August 29, 2024, though local sales taxes still apply.
- Tennessee Taxed at a lower rateTennessee taxes groceries at a reduced 4% state rate, compared with its 7% general state sales tax rate.
- Texas Groceries exemptTexas exempts most groceries from its 6.25% state sales tax. Soft drinks, candy and prepared food are taxed.