ESTA INFORMATION
Money, Tax & Tipping in the USA
You pay in US dollars (USD) — and often more than the price on the label: sales tax is set by states and local governments, and in many states it is only added at the till. There is no tax refund scheme for tourists. Here is what you should know about cash, tax and tipping.
Currency and cash
- The currency is the US dollar (USD)
- You may carry cash. However, amounts over US$10,000 must be reported to CBP when you enter or leave the country — for families and groups, the combined total counts
We explain how to declare it in detail under US customs.
Sales tax: different from state to state
In the USA, sales tax is set by states and local governments, so there is no single rate for the whole country. Three examples:
- New York: the rate is made up of the state rate (currently 4%) plus local taxes imposed by a city, county or school district; within the MCTD area an extra 0.375% applies. Combined rates vary by county and city.
- Oregon: according to its own revenue department, has no general sales tax
- Texas: sellers must generally show sales tax separately — unless they state explicitly that it is included in the price
No tax refunds for tourists
Some countries refund VAT or GST to departing visitors. We have not found a comparable nationwide scheme for visitors to the USA.
Tips and service charges
Tipping is widespread in the USA — but there is no officially set percentage, which is why we deliberately do not give a figure here. It is more important to check the bill:
- Some bills already include a service charge (also called an “auto-gratuity”)
- The US tax authority, the IRS, gives typical examples such as a surcharge for large groups in restaurants and a hotel room service charge
- According to the IRS, a mandatory charge like this is not a tip for tax purposes — so check whether it has already been added before you give anything extra
Sources and currency of information
- CBP — Money and Other Monetary Instruments (cbp.gov)
- New York State — Sales and use tax rates (tax.ny.gov)
- Oregon Department of Revenue — Sales tax (oregon.gov)
- Texas Comptroller — Sales Tax Collection FAQ (comptroller.texas.gov)
- Louisiana Department of Revenue — end of the Tax Free Shopping Program (revenue.louisiana.gov)
- IRS — Topic no. 761, Tips (irs.gov)
Last reviewed: 12 October 2026. Tax rates can change — the relevant revenue department’s website is authoritative. This website is an independent information service and is not an official website of the US Government or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).