Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax quickly for any purchase. Enter the pre-tax price and your local tax rate to see the total cost with tax included. Also works in reverse—enter your total payment to extract the pre-tax price and tax amount. Essential for budgeting and understanding your actual costs at checkout.
Calculate Sales Tax
How the Calculation Works
Formula: Total with Tax = Subtotal × (1 + Tax Rate)
Or: Tax Amount = Subtotal × Tax Rate, then Total = Subtotal + Tax Amount
To reverse-calculate (extract tax from a total): Subtotal = Total / (1 + Tax Rate)
Note: Sales tax varies by location. Most US states range from 0% (five states) to ~7.25% state rate, with local taxes potentially adding more.
Worked Example
Example 1: Purchase of $50 with 8% sales tax (common in many states):
- Tax Amount: $50 × 0.08 = $4
- Total with Tax: $50 + $4 = $54
Example 2: Purchase of $125 with 6% sales tax:
- Tax Amount: $125 × 0.06 = $7.50
- Total with Tax: $125 + $7.50 = $132.50
Example 3: You paid $107.50 total and want to know the pre-tax price (assuming 8% tax):
- Subtotal: $107.50 / 1.08 ≈ $99.54
How to Use This Calculator
Tax Rates Vary by Location: Sales tax is not uniform across the US. Five states have no sales tax. Most states range from 4% to 7.25%, but local taxes can add 1-5% more depending on county or city. Your actual rate depends on where you're located.
Tax-Free Items: Most states exempt groceries (unprepared foods), prescription medications, and medical devices. Some states tax clothing, while others don't. Rules vary significantly by state.
Online vs In-Store: Online retailers now collect sales tax based on the delivery address in nearly all states. The tax you pay online should match your local rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the pre-tax price by your local tax rate as a decimal. Example: $100 × 0.08 = $8 tax, making the total $108. Use this calculator to verify your math.
What is my state's sales tax rate?
Rates vary by state and locality. Check your state's Department of Revenue website. Five states have 0% tax. Most range from 4-7.25% at the state level, with local taxes adding more.
Do online purchases include sales tax?
Yes, online retailers are required to collect sales tax in almost all states as of 2021. The tax is based on your delivery address, not the retailer's location.
Are groceries and medications taxed?
Most states don't tax unprepared groceries or prescription medications. But prepared foods, restaurant meals, vitamins, and personal care items often are taxed. Check your state's rules.
How do I find the pre-tax price from a total?
Divide the total by (1 + your tax rate as a decimal). Example: $108 ÷ 1.08 = $100 pre-tax. This calculator can reverse-calculate for you.