Vermont Tax Guide

Vermont state tax rates and rules for income, sales, property, gas, cigarette, and other taxes that impact residents.

picture of Vermont state flag on pole against golden sky
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Vermont state tax: Overview

Vermont has four income tax brackets, and the state still taxes Social Security benefits for some filers. Property taxes are high when compared to most other states, and Vermont also has an estate tax.

However, the sales tax rate in Vermont is about average, and many types of essential items are tax-exempt.


[Data for this state tax guide was gathered from a number of sources including the Census Bureau, the state’s government website, the Sales Tax Handbook, and the Tax Foundation. Property taxes are cited as a rate percentage rather than the assessed value.]

Subscribe to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance

Be a smarter, better informed investor.

Save up to 74%
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hwgJ7osrMtUWhk5koeVme7-200-80.png

Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free E-Newsletters

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.

Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.

Sign up

Vermont income tax

picture of Montpelier Vermont state capitol building

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Vermont has a graduated state individual income tax rate ranging from 3.35% to 8.75%, according to the Tax Foundation.

Vermont tax on retirement benefits: Social Security benefits are exempt for joint filers with an adjusted gross income (AGI) of $65,000 or less.

Additionally, Vermont offers a deduction of up to $10,000 for some types of retirement income. However, income requirements apply. Railroad Retirement benefits are tax-exempt in Vermont.


Vermont sales tax

image of shopping car with money in it

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Vermont's state sales tax rate is 6%. Localities can add up to 0.36% in additional sales taxes.

However, the average combined sales tax rate in Vermont is 6.36%, according to the Tax Foundation. Several types of products are exempt from sales tax.

  • Groceries: Exempt
  • Clothing: Exempt
  • Prescription drugs: Exempt

How much are Vermont property taxes?

little model house on a table

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Vermont has an average effective property tax rate of 1.56%.

Vermont Property Tax Breaks for Retirees

Vermont offers a property tax credit of up to $8,000 to eligible homeowners. Homeowners must meet all of the following requirements to qualify for the credit in 2024.

  • Your property must qualify as a homestead (as of April 1), and you must have filed a Homestead Declaration for the current year's grand list.
  • You must have been domiciled in Vermont for all of the previous calendar year.
  • You must not have been claimed as a dependent on a 2023 tax return.
  • Your household income must not have exceeded $128,000 in 2023.

Vermont gas tax

rendering of a yellow car against a yellow background

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Gasoline: $0.12 per gallon

Diesel: $0.28 per gallon.


Vermont taxes on alcohol and tobacco

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ProductTax Amount
Cigarettes$3.08 per pack
Cigars$20-$40 per 10 cigars
Tobacco/Snuff$2.57 per ounce

Source: Sales Tax Handbook

Swipe to scroll horizontally
ProductTax Amount
Wine$0.55 per gallon
Beer$0.26 per gallon
Liquorstate-controlled

Source: Sales Tax Handbook


Vermont estate and inheritance taxes

Vermont has an estate tax with an exemption of $5 million. The tax rate is a flat 16%.

Related Content

Katelyn Washington
Former Tax Writer

Katelyn has more than 6 years of experience working in tax and finance. While she specialized in tax content while working at Kiplinger from 2023 to 2024, Katelyn has also written for digital publications on topics including insurance, retirement, and financial planning and had financial advice commissioned by national print publications. She believes knowledge is the key to success and enjoys providing content that educates and informs.