What do Wichita’s neighbors pay for sales tax? Here’s a rundown

If voters in Wichita decide to approve a 1% city-wide tax on retail sales, the city will join neighboring suburbs that have already adopted a similar tax.

Wichita and Newton are the only cities in Kansas with a population over 15,000 that do not have sales tax, according to population data from Cubit, a company that provides demographic data for businesses. Wichita’s population is nearly 20 times that of Newton.

Near Wichita, voters in Maize approved a 1% tax last August, and Derby residents approved one in November.

Goddard voters approved a 1% tax in 2014. Andover voted “yes” to raise its local rate from 1% to 2%, which took effect in April 2022. Kechi voters approved a 1% tax in February 2023. Park City voted for a 1% tax in August 2023 and Haysville followed in November of that year. Valley Center also has a 1% sales tax.

Bel Aire does not have a city sales tax.

Consumers in Wichita now pay a 6.5% state sales tax and 1% sales tax from Sedgwick County, meaning the sales tax rate citywide is 7.5% and would move to 8.5% if voters approve the new sales tax. Several small sections of the city have a sales tax specific to them. These are Community Improvement Districts, which implement a temporary sales tax to raise money for development through a partnership with the city.

Consumers in the suburbs that have adopted a 1% tax pay 8.5%, including the state and county sales taxes. Some small areas in those cities also are subject to CID sales tax.

Hutchinson voters will also decide on a sales tax increase during a March 3 election. If that passes, Hutchinson’s current local rate of 0.75% will double to 1.5%. Consumers in Hutchinson now pay 8.25% (including state and county sales tax). If the tax increase is improved, the total would move to 9%.

People in McPherson pay an 9% sales tax rate — the 6.5% Kansas tax, plus 1.5% from McPherson County and 1% from the city of McPherson.

Why do so many Kansas cities have sales taxes?

Donna Ginther, a professor of economics and director of the University of Kansas Institute for Policy & Social Research, said that the trend in Kansas of cities adding local sales tax likely stems from, at least in part, the federal and state governments reducing their budgets.

“When the state and federal government cut their budgets, or cut taxes and then cut services,” Ginther said, “it doesn’t mean that the need for services goes away.”

While sales tax can help make up for lost revenue, and be used to ease the burden of property taxes — the Wichita tax would include up to $150 million for property tax relief — Ginther said it is important to remember that a sales tax affects everyone, not just those who own property.

“Property taxes only apply to people who have enough money to have property, but sales taxes affect anybody who spends money,” she said. “So, a sales tax is broader based, but it’s also regressive in a sense that people who have limited means are spending 100% of their income on necessities, so they’re paying a larger share of their income in sales taxes than wealthier property owners.”

What sales would be affected by Wichita sales tax proposal?

A retail sales tax applies to all sales to consumers — everything Wichitans buy at the mall or the grocery store, as well as transactions like paying for repair services and phone and internet services.

Groceries are exempt from state sales tax in Kansas as of 2025, but Sedgwick County tax still applies, meaning county residents pay 1% on groceries. The Wichita tax would also include groceries, raising the rate Wichitans would pay on groceries to 2% — two cents on every dollar spent.

An effort is ongoing in the Legislature to allow cities to opt out of taxing groceries, but no bill has passed yet.

SNAP benefits would not be subject to the sales tax.

How and where to vote in Wichita sales tax election

The proposed sales tax is estimated to raise $850 million over seven years to help fund public safety improvements, homeless and housing programs, a projected 4-mill tax cut, improvements to Century II and the convention center and a new performing arts center.

The tax would go into effect July 1 and would be scheduled to last until 2033.

The sales tax vote is a special election, one set outside the typical August and November election cycle. Only people who live within Wichita’s city limits will be able to participate.

Early and mail-in voting are options in this election. Voters can check their registration status or polling location here.

Advance voting has already started.

Some poll locations have been temporarily moved for this election. Information about the changes are available here, along with the exact language voters will see on their ballot, information about early and mail-in voting, and more deadlines.