How stacked Black Friday discounts work
Black Friday 2026 is Friday, November 27 (the day after Thanksgiving on November 26). Cyber Monday is November 30.
- Two percentages multiply. 40% off then an extra 20% off is 0.60 × 0.80 = 0.48 of the price, i.e. 52% off, not 60%. The order of the two percentages never matters.
- A dollar coupon depends on order. Taken off last, a $10 coupon saves the full $10. Taken off first, it is itself discounted: after 40% + 20% off it is only worth $4.80.
- Sales tax comes last. Stores charge sales tax on the discounted price. Store coupons reduce the taxable price; with manufacturer coupons many states tax the price before the coupon, because the store is reimbursed.
Example
$200 item, 40% off, extra 20% off, $10 coupon applied last, Texas: $200 × 0.6 × 0.8 = $96 − $10 = $86.00. Tax at the Texas average combined rate 8.20% = $7.05. Total $93.05, versus $216.40 at full price with tax — you save $123.35.
2026 sales tax rates by state
Average combined rates add the state rate and the population-weighted average of local rates. Your exact rate depends on your city and county, and many states exempt or reduce tax on groceries and some clothing.
| State | State rate | Avg local | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4% | 5.46% | 9.46% |
| Alaska | 0% | 1.82% | 1.82% |
| Arizona | 5.6% | 2.94% | 8.54% |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | 2.98% | 9.48% |
| California | 7.25% | 1.78% | 9.03% |
| Colorado | 2.9% | 4.99% | 7.89% |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 0.00% | 6.35% |
| Delaware | 0% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| District of Columbia | 6% | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| Florida | 6% | 0.98% | 6.98% |
| Georgia | 4% | 3.56% | 7.56% |
| Hawaii | 4% | 0.50% | 4.50% |
| Idaho | 6% | 0.03% | 6.03% |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 2.73% | 8.98% |
| Indiana | 7% | 0.00% | 7.00% |
| Iowa | 6% | 0.94% | 6.94% |
| Kansas | 6.5% | 2.21% | 8.71% |
| Kentucky | 6% | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| Louisiana | 5% | 5.13% | 10.13% |
| Maine | 5.5% | 0.00% | 5.50% |
| Maryland | 6% | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 0.00% | 6.25% |
| Michigan | 6% | 0.00% | 6.00% |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | 1.26% | 8.14% |
| Mississippi | 7% | 0.06% | 7.06% |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 4.22% | 8.44% |
| Montana | 0% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Nebraska | 5.5% | 1.48% | 6.98% |
| Nevada | 6.85% | 1.39% | 8.24% |
| New Hampshire | 0% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| New Jersey | 6.625% | -0.02% | 6.60% |
| New Mexico | 4.875% | 2.80% | 7.68% |
| New York | 4% | 4.54% | 8.54% |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 2.35% | 7.10% |
| North Dakota | 5% | 2.09% | 7.09% |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 1.54% | 7.29% |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% | 4.56% | 9.06% |
| Oregon | 0% | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 0.34% | 6.34% |
| Rhode Island | 7% | 0.00% | 7.00% |
| South Carolina | 6% | 1.49% | 7.49% |
| South Dakota | 4.2% | 1.91% | 6.11% |
| Tennessee | 7% | 2.61% | 9.61% |
| Texas | 6.25% | 1.95% | 8.20% |
| Utah | 6.1% | 1.32% | 7.42% |
| Vermont | 6% | 0.43% | 6.43% |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 0.47% | 5.77% |
| Washington | 6.5% | 3.07% | 9.57% |
| West Virginia | 6% | 0.60% | 6.60% |
| Wisconsin | 5% | 0.72% | 5.72% |
| Wyoming | 4% | 1.39% | 5.39% |
California, Utah and Virginia include their mandatory statewide local add-ons in the state rate. New Jersey’s average local rate is negative because Salem County collects a lower rate. Alaska has no state sales tax but local taxes up to 7.85%.
Related guides and examples
FAQ
When is Black Friday 2026?
Friday, November 27, 2026 — the day after Thanksgiving (Thursday, November 26). Cyber Monday is November 30, 2026.
Is 40% off plus an extra 20% off the same as 60% off?
No. The second discount applies to the already-reduced price, so it is 52% off. A $200 item costs $96, not $80.
Should a $ coupon be applied before or after the % discount?
After is better for you. With 40% + 20% off on $200, a $10 coupon applied last brings the price to $86; applied first, to $91.20.
Which state has the highest sales tax in 2026?
Louisiana, with an average combined state and local rate of 10.13%, followed by Tennessee (9.61%) and Washington (9.57%). Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no general sales tax.
Sources (checked 5 November 2026): Tax Foundation, “State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026” (rates as of July 1, 2026; Tax Foundation reports no statewide rate changes between January and July 2026), cross-checked against sales.tax midyear 2026 summary. Thanksgiving is the fourth Thursday of November (5 U.S.C. § 6103).