What is a sales tax calculator?
Sales tax = price × rate ÷ 100, and the total is price × (1 + rate ÷ 100). At 8.25%, an $80 item has $6.60 tax and costs $86.60. To reverse it, divide the total by (1 + rate ÷ 100): $107 at 7% is a $100 price plus $7 tax.
Features
- Add tax to a price, or reverse it from a total
- Any rate to two decimals, such as 8.875%
- Dollars, or 13 other currencies
- Copy the breakdown
How to use the sales tax calculator
- Choose Add sales tax, or Remove sales tax for a total that already includes it.
- Enter the price or total.
- Enter the combined rate: state plus county, city and district rates.
- Read the tax and the total.
How US sales tax works
There is no national sales tax in the United States. Each state sets its own rate, and many counties, cities and special districts add their own on top, so the rate that applies is the combined rate where the buyer takes delivery. The Tax Foundation's 2026 table puts the population-weighted average combined rate at about 7.5%, with the highest combined rates near 10%.
Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. Alaska still lets local governments charge one.
Worked examples
| Situation | Working | Result |
|---|---|---|
| $80 item at 8.25% | 80 × 0.0825 | Tax $6.60, total $86.60 |
| $1,250 laptop at 6% | 1,250 × 0.06 | Tax $75, total $1,325 |
| Receipt total $107 at 7% | 107 ÷ 1.07 | Price $100, tax $7 |
Stores round tax per receipt, and some round per item, so a register can differ from this calculator by a cent.
Finding the exact rate
Rates follow addresses, not ZIP codes, because one ZIP code can cross city or county lines. Your state's department of revenue has a rate lookup by address. Some items, such as groceries and prescription drugs, are taxed at a lower rate or exempt in many states.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the rate divided by 100. At 7%, a $40 purchase has $2.80 tax, so you pay $42.80.
How do I find the price before tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. A $53.50 total at 7% is $50.00 before tax.
Why is my rate different from the state rate?
Counties, cities and special districts can add their own rates on top of the state rate. Use the combined rate for the delivery address.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
No. Sales tax is charged once, on the final sale to the consumer. VAT is charged at every stage of the supply chain, and businesses reclaim the VAT they paid. For VAT, use the VAT calculator.
General information only, not tax advice. Rates and taxable items vary by state and locality.
Last updated 15 November 2026. Made by Criza Labs. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.