Wisconsin sales tax for salons

Are haircuts and salon services taxable in Wisconsin?

No. Haircuts and other salon services are not taxable in Wisconsin, because charges by a barber or beauty shop for services performed on persons are not taxable; products sold to clients are taxable. Below: each kind of service, the products you sell, the rate and the permit a salon needs, each answered from the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's own publications, rules or statutes, read on October 25, 2026.

Haircuts: Not taxable
Nails: Not taxable
Products you sell: Taxable
State rate: 5%

Administered by Wisconsin Department of Revenue.The agency's page The state's own words

Services

Which salon services are taxable in Wisconsin?

No. Haircuts and other salon services are not taxable in Wisconsin, because charges by a barber or beauty shop for services performed on persons are not taxable; products sold to clients are taxable.

Hair services: Not taxable
Nail services: Not taxable
Skin care and waxing: Not taxable

Hair services: haircuts, color, styling, perms and shaves. Nail services: manicures, pedicures and enhancements. Skin care: facials, waxing and other hair removal, and makeup.

Products

Do salons charge sales tax on products in Wisconsin?

Yes. Products sold to clients, such as shampoo, combs, false nails and packaged cosmetics, are taxable under the 5% state sales tax. The state rate is 5% plus local tax.

The rate

What is the sales tax rate in Wisconsin?

Statewide tax: Sales and Use Tax
State rate: 5%
Local sales taxes: Yes, added by cities, counties or districts

The rate a client pays depends on the salon's address: look it up with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

The permit

Does a salon need a sales tax permit in Wisconsin?

Seller's Permit. If you sell taxable products to clients, apply for a seller's permit through the Department of Revenue's online Business Tax Registration process; the $20 BTR fee applies, then a $10 renewal fee every two years.

Registration: Seller's Permit
State fee: $20

Register with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue

Good to know

What else Wisconsin says about salons and sales tax

Products a salon uses up in its services, such as shampoo, dyes and oils, are taxable purchases when the salon buys them.
On a bundled special, the styling charge stays untaxed and the product sold with it is taxed separately.
Selling a gift certificate is not taxable; tax applies when it is redeemed for taxable products.

Sources

What Wisconsin's official pages say

Each answer above, in the words of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's own publications, rules or statutes, read on October 25, 2026. This is not tax advice: rules and rates change, so confirm with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue or an accountant.

Hair services: “Charges by a barber or beauty shop for services performed on persons are not taxable.”
revenue.wi.gov
“cutting, dyeing, perming, shampooing, and styling hair”
revenue.wi.gov
Products you sell: “The sale, lease, or rental of tangible personal property by a barber or beauty shop is taxable.”
revenue.wi.gov
The tax and its rate: “The Wisconsin sales tax is a 5% tax imposed on the sales price of retailers making taxable retail sales in Wisconsin.”
revenue.wi.gov
“Racine County imposes 0.5% county sales and use tax, effective April 1, 2025.”
revenue.wi.gov
The permit: “A barber or beauty shop may apply for a seller's permit using one of the following methods:”
revenue.wi.gov
“The $20 BTR fee applies to most permits or certificates issued by the Department of Revenue, including employer registration certificates, seller's permits, use tax certificates and excise tax permits.”
revenue.wi.gov
The agency: “This publication explains how Wisconsin sales and use taxes affect barber and beauty shops.”
revenue.wi.gov
Also good to know: “Items purchased and used by a barber or beauty shop are taxable.”
revenue.wi.gov
Also good to know: “The $20 charge for hair styling is not taxable; however, the $8 charge for the”
revenue.wi.gov
Also good to know: “The sales price from the sale of a gift certificate is not taxable.”
revenue.wi.gov

Questions

Wisconsin salon sales tax, answered

Are haircuts taxable in Wisconsin?

No. On the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's official pages, Wisconsin's Sales and Use Tax does not apply to haircuts, color, styling, perms and shaves. Products you sell to clients are taxed separately.

Do nail salons charge sales tax in Wisconsin?

No. On the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's official pages, Wisconsin's Sales and Use Tax does not apply to manicures, pedicures and nail enhancements. Products you sell to clients are taxed separately.

Are facials and waxing taxable in Wisconsin?

No. On the Wisconsin Department of Revenue's official pages, Wisconsin's Sales and Use Tax does not apply to facials, waxing and other hair removal, and makeup. Products you sell to clients are taxed separately.

Do salons charge sales tax on products in Wisconsin?

Yes. Products sold to clients, such as shampoo, combs, false nails and packaged cosmetics, are taxable under the 5% state sales tax. The state rate is 5% plus local tax.

Does a salon need a sales tax permit in Wisconsin?

Seller's Permit. If you sell taxable products to clients, apply for a seller's permit through the Department of Revenue's online Business Tax Registration process; the $20 BTR fee applies, then a $10 renewal fee every two years.

What is the sales tax rate in Wisconsin?

The statewide rate of Wisconsin's Sales and Use Tax is 5%, and cities, counties or districts add their own, so the rate a client pays depends on the salon's address. Check the rate for your address with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue.

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Are Haircuts Taxable in Wisconsin? Salon Sales Tax Rules | SalonAI