How do I calculate sales tax?

Sales tax = Price × (Tax Rate / 100). For example, a $50 item with a 8% sales tax costs $50 × 0.08 = $4 in tax, for a total of $54. The Sales Tax Calculator handles both adding tax to a price and removing tax from a total.

Which US states have no sales tax?

Five US states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, some local jurisdictions in Alaska do charge sales tax. Always check local rates as city and county taxes may apply.

What is the difference between sales tax and VAT?

Sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale to the consumer and is not included in the listed price in the US. VAT (Value Added Tax), used in Europe and many other countries, is collected at each stage of production and is typically included in the displayed price.

How do I calculate the pre-tax price from a total that includes tax?

Pre-tax price = Total Price / (1 + Tax Rate). For example, if the total is $54 with 8% tax: $54 / 1.08 = $50. This is called 'backing out' the tax.

Sales Tax Calculator - Add or Remove Tax

How to use this calculator

Select a solve mode, enter the two known values, and click Calculate. Click any state row in the table below to auto-fill its tax rate. The result panel updates immediately.

Sales Tax Calculator

Compute any one of: before-tax price, sales tax rate, or after-tax price — given the other two.

Before-Tax Price

Sales Tax Rate

After-Tax Price

About Sales Tax

A sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by a government on the sale of goods and services. In the U.S., there is no federal sales tax — rates vary by state, county, and city. Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon) have no statewide sales tax.

VAT (Value-Added Tax) is the equivalent used in over 160 countries outside the U.S. Unlike sales tax (applied only at the point of sale to the end consumer), VAT is collected at each stage of the supply chain.

Sales tax can be deducted from U.S. federal income tax if you itemize deductions — useful if you made large purchases (car, appliances, etc.) during the year.

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Sales Tax Tips

→Always ask for the after-tax price before committing to a purchase.
→Online purchases may be subject to sales tax in your state, even if the seller is out-of-state.
→Large purchases (cars, appliances) can make itemizing sales tax deductions worthwhile.
→Some states exempt groceries and prescription drugs from sales tax.

Income Tax Calculator

Estimate your federal and state income tax liability.

How Sales Tax Works in the United States

Sales tax in the United States is a consumption tax levied by state and local governments on the sale of goods and certain services. Unlike VAT (Value Added Tax) systems used in most other countries, US sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale and is not embedded in the listed price. This means the price you see on a shelf tag is typically the pre-tax price, and the tax is added at checkout.

Sales Tax Rates by State

Sales tax rates vary significantly across the country. Five states — Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon — have no state sales tax at all. At the other end of the spectrum, California has the highest state sales tax rate at 7.25%, which can climb to over 10% when local district taxes are added. Tennessee and Louisiana follow closely with combined rates often exceeding 9%.

State vs. Local Sales Tax

The total sales tax rate you pay is usually a combination of the state rate plus any county, city, or special district taxes. For example, the state of Texas has a 6.25% state sales tax, but cities and counties can add up to 2% more, resulting in a maximum combined rate of 8.25%. This is why the same item can cost different amounts depending on which city or county you buy it in.

Taxable vs. Exempt Items

Not all purchases are subject to sales tax. Most states exempt groceries, prescription drugs, and medical equipment from sales tax. Some states also exempt clothing below a certain price threshold. Services are generally not taxed, though this varies by state. Always check your specific state's rules for the items you are purchasing.

How to Calculate Sales Tax

The formula for calculating sales tax is simple: Tax Amount = Pre-Tax Price x (Tax Rate / 100). For example, if you are buying a $50 item in a state with a 8.5% combined sales tax rate, the tax would be $50 x 0.085 = $4.25, making the total $54.25. To work backwards from a total price that already includes tax, divide the total by (1 + tax rate): Pre-Tax Price = Total Price / 1.085.

Our sales tax calculator handles both directions: you can enter the pre-tax price to find the total, or enter the total price to find the pre-tax amount and the tax paid. This is especially useful for expense reporting, accounting, and verifying receipts.