Sales tax rates vary widely across the United States, with some states charging no sales tax while others charge rates as high as 7-8%. This can make determining the sales tax on purchases of big-ticket items like buffalo quite complicated.
This article will examine sales tax rates on buffalo purchases in all 50 states and major cities, discussing key factors that influence buffalo sales tax, including tax exemptions, city/county rates, and more. With buffalo becoming an increasingly popular meat alternative, understanding the relevant sales tax laws is an important consideration for consumers.
Sales Tax Rates on Buffalo By State
Sales tax rates on buffalo vary considerably depending on which state you live in. Here is an overview of state-level sales tax rates that would apply to buffalo purchases:
States With No Sales Tax on Buffalo
Five states have no state-level sales tax that would apply to buffalo purchases:
- Alaska
- Delaware
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
However, some cities and counties within these states may still charge local sales taxes.
States With Low Sales Tax Rates on Buffalo
Several states have relatively low sales tax rates under 4% that would apply to buffalo:
- Colorado (2.9%)
- Georgia (4%)
- Hawaii (4%)
- Wyoming (4%)
States With Medium Sales Tax Rates on Buffalo
Most states fall in the medium 4-6% range for sales tax rates on buffalo:
- Alabama (4%)
- Arizona (5.6%)
- Florida (6%)
- Illinois (6.25%)
- Indiana (7%)
- Kansas (6.5%)
- Kentucky (6%)
- Maine (5.5%)
- Maryland (6%)
- Massachusetts (6.25%)
- Michigan (6%)
- Minnesota (6.875%)
- Mississippi (7%)
- Missouri (4.225%)
- Nebraska (5.5%)
- Nevada (6.85%)
- New Jersey (6.625%)
- New Mexico (5.125%)
- New York (4%)
- North Carolina (4.75%)
- North Dakota (5%)
- Ohio (5.75%)
- Oklahoma (4.5%)
- Pennsylvania (6%)
- Rhode Island (7%)
- South Carolina (6%)
- Texas (6.25%)
- Utah (4.85%)
- Virginia (5.3%)
- Washington (6.5%)
- West Virginia (6%)
- Wisconsin (5%)
States With High Sales Tax Rates on Buffalo
A handful of states have sales tax rates over 6% that would come into play for buffalo purchases:
- Arkansas (6.5%)
- California (7.25%)
- Idaho (6%)
- Iowa (6%)
- Louisiana (9.52%)
- South Dakota (6.4%)
- Tennessee (7%)
- Vermont (6%)
| State | Sales Tax Rate |
|---|---|
| Alaska | 0% |
| Delaware | 0% |
| Montana | 0% |
| New Hampshire | 0% |
| Oregon | 0% |
| Colorado | 2.9% |
| Georgia | 4% |
| Hawaii | 4% |
| Wyoming | 4% |
| Alabama | 4% |
| Arizona | 5.6% |
| Florida | 6% |
| Illinois | 6.25% |
| Indiana | 7% |
| Kansas | 6.5% |
| Kentucky | 6% |
| Maine | 5.5% |
| Maryland | 6% |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% |
| Michigan | 6% |
| Minnesota | 6.875% |
| Mississippi | 7% |
| Missouri | 4.225% |
| Nebraska | 5.5% |
| Nevada | 6.85% |
| New Jersey | 6.625% |
| New Mexico | 5.125% |
| New York | 4% |
| North Carolina | 4.75% |
| North Dakota | 5% |
| Ohio | 5.75% |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% |
| Pennsylvania | 6% |
| Rhode Island | 7% |
| South Carolina | 6% |
| Texas | 6.25% |
| Utah | 4.85% |
| Virginia | 5.3% |
| Washington | 6.5% |
| West Virginia | 6% |
| Wisconsin | 5% |
| Arkansas | 6.5% |
| California | 7.25% |
| Idaho | 6% |
| Iowa | 6% |
| Louisiana | 9.52% |
| South Dakota | 6.4% |
| Tennessee | 7% |
| Vermont | 6% |
As the table shows, state sales tax rates on buffalo range from 0% in five states up to 9.52% in Louisiana. However, this does not tell the full story…
Local Sales Taxes and Total Sales Tax Rates
In addition to state sales taxes, many cities and counties levy local sales taxes that can add significantly to the total tax rate. When combining state and average local sales tax rates, here are some of the highest and lowest total sales tax jurisdictions for buffalo purchases:
Highest Total Sales Tax Rates
Several cities have total sales tax rates on buffalo purchases of 10% or higher when state and local taxes are combined:
- Chicago, IL – 10.25%
- New Orleans, LA – 10.45%
- Birmingham, AL – 10.0%
- Montgomery, AL – 10.0%
- Anchorage, AK – 10.0%
- Kansas City, MO – 10.1%
Lowest Total Sales Tax Rates
Some jurisdictions maintain 0% or very low total sales tax rates even with local taxes:
- Portland, OR – 0%
- Anchorage, AK – 0% (until 9/30/2024)
- Juneau, AK – 0%
- Cheyenne, WY – 4%
- Phoenix, AZ – 5.6%
- Denver, CO – 4.31%
Sales Tax Exemptions on Buffalo
In some cases, exemptions may allow you to purchase buffalo tax-free even in higher sales tax jurisdictions:
Food Tax Exemptions
Some states exempt “unprepared food” or groceries from sales tax under certain rules. Where applicable to buffalo meat, this can eliminate sales tax. For example:
- Texas exempts all “unprepared food” from state/local sales taxes
- Virginia exempts unprepared food from the full 5.3% state tax but allows local taxes
- California exempts food from state sales tax but local taxes still apply
Agricultural Exemptions
Many states offer sales tax exemptions on livestock, agriculture products, or farm equipment. In states where such exemptions apply broadly, buffalo may qualify as tax-exempt. For example:
- North Carolina exempts livestock sales from all state/local sales taxes
- Oklahoma offers exemptions on agriculture sales, potentially including buffalo
Other Exemptions
Some other exemptions like manufacturing machinery, wholesale sales, and more may apply in certain cases to buffalo meat or by-products. But eligibility requires meeting strict exemption rules.
Sales Tax on Prepared Buffalo Meals
When purchasing prepared foods containing buffalo at restaurants, take-out counters, or catered events, additional sales taxes generally apply to the final transaction amount.
For example, if buffalo sliders cost $10 at a restaurant, and the total sales tax rate is 8%, you would expect to pay $.80 in sales tax for a total bill of $10.80.
Some states do cap taxes on food or restaurant meals, but prepared buffalo foods are unlikely to qualify for grocery or agriculture exemptions.
Sales Tax on Other Buffalo Items
Beyond the raw meat itself, consumers may encounter sales tax on other buffalo-related purchases:
- Hunting trips – Guided buffalo hunt packages often incur standard sales tax rates.
- Tours – Bus tours, animal parks, or other attractions featuring buffalo viewing may include sales tax.
- Souvenirs – Buffalo leather goods, horn products, gifts, or crafts typically have standard sales tax.
- Taxidermy – Mounting or stuffing buffalo incurs sales tax like other taxidermy services.
So when budgeting for a buffalo-themed adventure, factor relevant sales taxes into the total cost!
Key Points
- Five states have no sales tax, but local taxes sometimes still apply
- State sales tax rates range from 0% to 9.52%, with most between 4-6
Conclusion
Determining the exact sales tax rate on buffalo purchases can be tricky, with complex factors like state vs. local taxes, prepared foods, and exemptions coming into play. While a handful of states have no sales tax at all, most have baseline state rates between 4-6%, plus up to 4% or more in local taxes added on in major cities.
Exemptions for food, agriculture, or other designations may eliminate sales tax in some cases, but likely don’t apply to prepared buffalo meals. When planning a major buffalo purchase or buffalo-themed adventure, be sure to research the sales tax rates in the specific jurisdiction. The total rate can have a significant impact on your final buffalo budget.
FAQs
What is Buffalo New York state sales tax?
The state sales tax rate in Buffalo, New York is 4%. On top of the state sales tax, Erie County, where Buffalo is located, charges an additional 4.75% sales tax. The combined sales tax rate for Buffalo is 8.75%. This sales tax applies to retail sales of most goods and some services in Buffalo.
What is the sales tax in Buffalo Texas?
There is no city named Buffalo in Texas. However, Texas has a state sales tax rate of 6.25% that applies to all cities and counties in the state. Some cities and counties may charge an additional local sales tax on top of the state tax.
What is the sales tax in Buffalo County Nebraska?
The state sales tax rate in Nebraska is 5.5%. Buffalo County, Nebraska does not charge any additional county or city sales taxes. Therefore, the total sales tax rate for all cities and towns in Buffalo County is 5.5%. This includes the city of Kearney, which is the county seat of Buffalo County.
Does sales tax apply to purchasing a live buffalo?
In most states, purchasing a live buffalo would be considered a qualifying agricultural or livestock sale and be exempt from sales tax. However, some states may still impose sales tax depending on specific regulations.
Is buffalo jerky subject to sales tax?
Yes, buffalo jerky would generally be classified as a prepared food item and subject to the standard sales tax rate for your jurisdiction. Grocery or agricultural exemptions likely would not apply to processed snack foods like jerky.
If I buy a buffalo head mount, is it taxed like art or decoration?
In most cases, buffalo taxidermy like a head mount would be taxed as a standard decoration or collectible item. Unless the taxidermist has a manufacturing exemption, sales tax would apply.
