Sales Tax Calculator
Enter the item price and your local tax rate. This calculator shows the tax amount, total price after tax, and handles multiple items. Works for any US state or country.
Background
A sales tax calculator adds the correct tax to any purchase price. You type in the price before tax and your local tax rate, and it shows the tax amount and what you'll actually pay at the register. It works in reverse too — enter a tax-inclusive price, and it splits out the pre-tax cost and the tax portion.
Sales tax rates differ by state, county, and city across the United States. Some states charge 0% while others go above 10% when local rates stack on top of state rates. This calculator handles any rate you enter.
Enter the item price
Type the shelf price — the price before tax. The calculator computes the tax and total instantly. If the listed price already includes tax (common in some countries), flip on the "Price includes tax" toggle to reverse-calculate the breakdown.
How to use this sales tax calculator
Three fields, three seconds:
Enter the price
Type the pre-tax price of the item. For multiple identical items, use the quantity selector.
Set the tax rate
Pick a preset (5-10%) or drag the slider. Enter your exact local combined rate using the custom field.
Get your total
The subtotal, tax amount, and total after tax appear immediately. Copy or reset as needed.
How this sales tax calculator works
The calculator multiplies the pre-tax price by the tax rate to get the tax amount, then adds it to the price for the total. For reverse calculations, it divides the inclusive price by (1 + tax rate) to extract the pre-tax amount.
Formula & Equation Used
Two formulas — one for normal calculation, one for reverse:
Reverse (tax-inclusive price):
Try it yourself
Example Problem & Step-by-Step Solution
You're buying a laptop priced at $899.99 in Texas, where the combined state and local sales tax rate is 8.25%. What do you pay?
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have no sales tax?
Five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska allows local jurisdictions to levy their own sales taxes, so some Alaska cities do charge a local rate.
Is sales tax included in the listed price?
In the US, prices on shelf tags do not include sales tax — tax is added at checkout. In most European countries, VAT is included in the listed price. This calculator handles both modes with the "Price includes tax" toggle.
What items are exempt from sales tax?
This varies by state. Most states exempt groceries, prescription drugs, and clothing (in some states). Some states hold tax-free weekends for back-to-school shopping or hurricane preparedness supplies.
What's the difference between sales tax and VAT?
Sales tax is charged once at the final point of sale. VAT (Value Added Tax) is charged at every stage of production and distribution. The result for the consumer is similar, but the collection mechanism differs. VAT is standard in Europe; sales tax is the US system.
What is sales tax?
Sales tax is a consumption tax charged by state and local governments on the sale of goods and some services. The seller collects the tax at the point of purchase and sends it to the government. The tax rate is a percentage of the sale price.
The US has no national sales tax. Each state sets its own rate (or chooses not to have one), and counties and cities can add their own local rates on top. This creates a patchwork where the same item costs different amounts at the register depending on where you buy it.
How US sales tax evolved
US state sales tax rates
Here are the base state rates for the highest and lowest states (not including local additions):
Local city and county taxes can add 1-5% on top of these state rates. The combined rate is what you actually pay. For example, Los Angeles County has a combined rate of about 9.5%.
Sales tax by the numbers
Sales tax & VAT around the world
Different countries handle consumption taxes very differently:
United States
European Union
Canada
Calculator features explained
Item price
Enter the pre-tax shelf price. The calculator starts computing the instant you type.
Tax rate
Pick a common rate or use the slider/custom field for your exact local combined rate (state + county + city).
Quantity
Buying multiples of the same item? Set the quantity to see the total for all items with tax included.
Reverse calculation
Toggle "Price includes tax" to enter a tax-inclusive price. The calculator extracts the pre-tax amount and tax portion.
FAQ
How do I calculate sales tax manually?
Multiply the item price by the tax rate as a decimal. For a $40 item at 7% tax: $40 × 0.07 = $2.80 tax. Add that to the price: $40 + $2.80 = $42.80 total.
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling (South Dakota v. Wayfair), most states require online retailers to collect sales tax. You'll see tax added at checkout on sites like Amazon, Walmart, and most e-commerce stores.
How do I find my exact local sales tax rate?
Check your state's Department of Revenue website, or look at a recent receipt — the tax rate is usually printed on it. Your combined rate includes state, county, city, and any special district taxes.