Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax instantly. Purchase amount, tax rate, tax total, and final price.
Free · Runs in your browser · No signup
Examples to try
Formula
Tax = amount × rate/100 · Total = amount + tax
Common mistakes
- Using state rate when local city tax also applies.
- Applying tax before a discount when the store does the reverse.
- Forgetting some goods are exempt.
Scope: Simple add-tax math. Not legal tax advice. Related: discount.
How to Use
Enter your values in the fields above and click Calculate to get instant results. Calculations run in your browser. Results are estimates for personal planning only.
Related Calculators
Sales Tax Calculation
Sales tax is a flat percentage applied to the pre-tax purchase amount. CalcSolver adds the tax to give the total out-the-door price.
Tax amount = purchase price × (rate / 100)
Total cost = purchase price + tax
Unlike income tax, sales tax is regressive — the effective rate is the same regardless of the buyer's income.
US State Sales Tax Rates at a Glance
0% (no sales tax): Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, Alaska*
4–5%: Hawaii* 4%, Wyoming 4%, Wisconsin 5%, Maine 5.5%
6–7%: Illinois 6.25%, Texas 6.25%, Washington 6.5%, New York 8%
8%+ combined: Louisiana ~10%, Tennessee ~9.5%, California 8.75%
*Local jurisdictions add on top. Groceries, clothing, and medicine are exempt in many states.
How Sales Tax Works
Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and services. It is collected by the seller at the point of purchase and remitted to the taxing authority. The formula is straightforward: Tax Amount = Price × (Tax Rate / 100), and Total Price = Price + Tax Amount. For example, a $75 item at 8.25% tax: $75 × 0.0825 = $6.19 tax, total = $81.19.
To work backward from a total that includes tax: Pre-Tax Price = Total / (1 + Tax Rate / 100). If you paid $81.19 total at 8.25% tax: $81.19 / 1.0825 = $75.00. This reverse calculation is useful when receipts show only the total charged.
Sales Tax Rates by US State (2026)
Sales tax rates vary dramatically across the United States. Five states have no state sales tax at all: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Among states with sales tax, rates range from about 4% (Hawaii, Wyoming) to over 7% (California at 7.25%, Indiana, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Tennessee at 7%).
However, many states allow local jurisdictions (cities, counties, transit districts) to add their own taxes on top of the state rate. This means the effective rate you pay can be significantly higher:
- Louisiana: State rate 4.45%, but combined local rates push some areas over 12%
- Tennessee: State rate 7%, local additions bring some areas to 9.75%
- Alabama: State rate 4%, but combined rates reach 13.5% in some jurisdictions
- Colorado: State rate 2.9%, yet some areas exceed 11% with local taxes
Compound Tax Scenarios
Some transactions involve multiple tax layers. When both state and local taxes apply, they are typically added together (not compounded). A $200 purchase in an area with 6% state + 3% local tax: $200 × (6% + 3%) = $200 × 9% = $18 tax, total = $218. However, some jurisdictions apply taxes sequentially — the local tax may apply to the price plus state tax, creating a true compound effect. In rare cases, excise taxes (like on alcohol or tobacco) are added before sales tax, meaning you pay tax on the tax.
Tax-Exempt Items
Most states exempt certain categories from sales tax to reduce the burden on essential purchases:
- Groceries: Exempt in most states, though some (like Alabama, South Dakota, and Mississippi) tax groceries at the full rate or a reduced rate.
- Prescription medications: Exempt in all states that charge sales tax.
- Clothing: Exempt in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York (under $110), Minnesota, and a few others. Most states tax clothing.
- Services: Some states tax services (like haircuts, repairs), while others only tax tangible goods.
Online Purchase Tax
Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, online retailers are required to collect sales tax in states where they have economic nexus (typically $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions per year). This means most online purchases now include sales tax at the buyer's destination rate, regardless of where the seller is located. Marketplace facilitator laws (active in nearly all states) make platforms like Amazon and eBay responsible for collecting tax on behalf of third-party sellers.
International VAT Comparison
Outside the US, many countries use a Value Added Tax (VAT) instead of sales tax. VAT is collected at each stage of production and distribution, while US sales tax is only collected at the final sale. VAT rates are typically higher: the UK charges 20%, Germany 19%, France 20%, and Japan 10%. The EU standard rate ranges from 17% (Luxembourg) to 27% (Hungary). Unlike US sales tax, VAT is usually included in the displayed price, so the price on the tag is what you pay.
Tips for Managing Sales Tax
- Always check your state and local tax rate — it may differ from the state rate shown online.
- For large purchases, calculate the tax difference between buying locally and in a neighboring state or city.
- Keep receipts for tax-exempt purchases, as you may need to prove eligibility.
- Businesses can often claim sales tax paid on business purchases as a deduction — consult a tax professional.
- Use CalcSolver's discount calculator to apply discounts before calculating tax for the most accurate total.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate and divide by 100. For a $50 item with 8% tax: $50 × 0.08 = $4 tax → total = $54.
How do I find the pre-tax price?
If you know the total and tax rate: Pre-tax price = Total ÷ (1 + Tax Rate/100). Example: $54 total with 8% tax → $54 ÷ 1.08 = $50.
Do all states have sales tax?
No. As of 2026, five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Rates in other states range from about 4% to over 10% with local taxes.
Is sales tax applied before or after a discount?
Sales tax is calculated on the price after the discount is applied. If you have a $100 item with a 20% discount and 8% tax: $100 − $20 = $80 discounted price, then $80 × 0.08 = $6.40 tax, total = $86.40. Use CalcSolver's discount calculator for the discount first.
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
Yes, in nearly all US states. Since the 2018 Wayfair Supreme Court decision, online retailers must collect sales tax based on the buyer's shipping address. Major marketplaces like Amazon collect it automatically.
What is the difference between sales tax and VAT?
Sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale to the consumer. VAT (Value Added Tax) is collected at each stage of production and distribution. VAT rates are typically higher (15-27%) but are usually included in the displayed price. Most countries outside the US use VAT instead of sales tax.