Sales Tax in Clearwater, Minnesota in 2025

We'll walk you through how the sales tax rate is determined for Clearwater and address some common questions you may have. We'll also cover how to collect, audit, and remit sales tax in Clearwater.

Plus, we’ll share the best solution that will ensure you are always compliant across the entire sales tax lifecycle.

Disclaimer: Our sales tax data is updated on a quarterly basis. 

Clearwater Sales Tax Rate 2025

Clearwater is located in Minnesota, United States. Its minimum sales tax rate is 7.63%, and its maximum sales tax rate is 7.88%. These rates include local and state sales tax rates.

Here is how the Clearwater sales tax rates breaks down:

Tax Jurisdiction	Min. Rate	Max. Rate
State Tax	6.88%	6.88%
City Tax	0.50%	0.50%
Special Tax	0.25%	0.50%
Combined Rate	7.63%	7.88%

Sales Tax Rates in Clearwater by Zip Codes and Districts

Below are the sales tax rates in Clearwater broken down by districts and zip codes:

District	Zip Codes	Combined Sales Tax Rate
CLEARWATER CITY (STEARNS COUNTY)|STEARNS COUNTY TRANSIT	55320	7.63%
CLEARWATER CITY (STEARNS COUNTY)|WRIGHT COUNTY TRANSIT	55319, 55320	7.88%

County Sales Tax in Clearwater

Clearwater overlaps with 2 counties in Minnesota. But as you can see in the table below, the county sales tax rate is 0.00% in each one.

County	Sales Tax Rate
Stearns County	0.00%
Wright County	0.00%

How Does the Clearwater Sales Tax Compare to the Rest of Minnesota?

The lowest sales tax rate you can find in Minnesota stands at 6.88%. The highest sales tax rate in the state is 9.88%. Here’s how Clearwater’s sales tax rates compares against these rates:

• The minimum sales tax rate (7.63%) is 0.75% higher than the state's lowest rate and 2.25% lower than the highest rate.
• The maximum sales tax rate (7.88%) is 1.00% higher than the state's lowest rate and 2.00% lower than the highest rate.

To give you a better idea, here’s a comparison of Clearwater sales tax rates with a few other cities in Minnesota:

City	Sales Tax Rates
Avoca	6.88%
Clearwater	7.63%-7.88%
Columbia Heights	8.13%
New Hope	8.53%
Minneapolis	9.03%
St. Paul	9.88%

You can also compare the sales tax rate of Clearwater against the Minnesota cities closest in population size:

• Rice's sales tax rate is 7.38%
• Waverly's sales tax rate is 7.38%

What Creates Sales Tax Nexus in Clearwater?

Clearwater has the same sales tax nexus rules as Minnesota. It doesn’t have any special rules specifically for Clearwater.

Read More: Check out this detailed guide on Sales Tax in Minnesota.

You have a sales tax nexus in Clearwater if you meet any of the following factors:

• Physical presence: Businesses that sell or lease property in Minnesota, such as offices, healthcare facilities, distribution centers, etc.
• Representatives: Companies with employees, representatives, salespersons, and independent contractors in Minnesota.
• Delivery: Businesses that deliver tangible personal property into Minnesota in their own vehicles.
• Economic nexus: Companies with more than 200 retail sales shipped to Minnesota or that make more than $100,000 in retail sales shipped to Minnesota.

Note: If you’re a remote seller and don’t meet these thresholds, you’ll be eligible for the Small Seller Exception.  

Learn more about sales tax nexus and when you’re required to collect sales tax.

What Products Are Exempt from Clearwater Sales Tax?

Clearwater doesn't have any special exemptions and follows the same sales tax rules as Minnesota.

The items exempt from sales tax in Clearwater are:

• Clothing, like formal wear, sandals, karate uniforms, and more.
• Food, like baking powder, cereals, dairy products, and more.
• Medicines, acne medications, antihistamines, burn drugs, and more.
• Secure firearm storage units.
• Barbershop services, like hair cutting, spa, hair removal, and more.

Who Needs a Sales Permit in Clearwater?

You’ll need to sales tax permit in Clearwater if you meet these two requirements:

• You have a sales tax nexus in Minnesota
• You sell taxable products or services in Minnesota

You can create an account and register online via the Business Tax Registration website. 

How to Collect Sales Tax in Clearwater

Clearwater uses destination-based sales tax sourcing for all businesses located outside and inside the state. This means that if you sell to a customer in Clearwater, you must apply the sales tax rate based on the buyer’s shipping address.

Learn more about origin-based and destination-based sales tax sourcing here.

How to File and Pay Sales Tax in Clearwater

You can file Clearwater sales tax returns using the following methods:

• File and pay online: File online at MN e-services as Minnesota requires online filing. 
• Or, let Zamp handle your Minnesota sales tax filing and remittance so you never have to look at a sales tax return again!