Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price, or remove it from a total.
Sales tax rates differ by state, county and city, and some items are exempt. Enter the combined rate that applies where you are buying.
| Price | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.80 | $10.80 |
| $25 | $2.00 | $27.00 |
| $50 | $4.00 | $54.00 |
| $100 | $8.00 | $108.00 |
| $250 | $20.00 | $270.00 |
| $500 | $40.00 | $540.00 |
| $1,000 | $80.00 | $1,080.00 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the pre-tax price by the tax rate as a decimal. For a $100 item at 8%, the tax is $100 × 0.08 = $8, so the total is $108.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the tax rate. For a $108 total with 8% tax, $108 ÷ 1.08 = $100 before tax, which means $8 was tax. Choose “Remove sales tax” above to do this automatically.
What is my local sales tax rate?
Sales tax is set by states and often added to by counties and cities, so the total can be different even within one state. Check your state revenue agency or a recent receipt to find the combined rate.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
They are similar taxes on spending but work differently. Sales tax is added only at the final sale, while VAT is charged at each stage of production and reclaimed by businesses. See the VAT calculator if you are outside the US.
Are all items taxed?
Not always. Many places exempt groceries, prescription medicine or clothing, and the rules differ widely. If an item is exempt you can enter a 0% rate.
How do I calculate 8.25% sales tax on $40?
Multiply $40 by 0.0825 to get $3.30 of tax, so the total is $43.30. Enter 8.25 as the rate in the calculator.
How can I find the price before tax if I only know the total?
Choose 'Remove sales tax from a total'. The calculator divides the total by 1 plus the rate. For example, a $54.00 total at 8% means a price of $50.00 and tax of $4.00.
Why does the tax on my receipt differ by a cent from this calculator?
Stores may round tax on each item or on the whole bill, and local rules differ. A difference of a cent is usually rounding.
About this tool
This sales tax calculator adds tax to a price or works backwards from a total price to show the amount before tax and the tax included. Enter your combined state and local rate to get the figure you will actually pay at checkout.
Worked example
A $249.99 item in a place with a combined sales tax rate of 7.25% has tax of $249.99 × 0.0725 = $18.12, so the total at the till is $268.11. Going the other way, if you only know the $268.11 total, divide by 1.0725 to get back to the $249.99 pre-tax price.
Remember that the rate shown on a receipt can combine state, county and city taxes, and that some items such as groceries may be taxed at a lower rate or not at all. For business records, use the rate your tax authority publishes rather than an estimate.
Adding and removing sales tax
To add sales tax, multiply the price by the rate and add the result: $100 at 8% is $8.00 of tax and $108.00 in total. To remove tax from a total, divide by 1 plus the rate: $108.00 ÷ 1.08 = $100.00. Subtracting 8% of the total gives $8.64 of tax and $99.36 before tax, which is wrong, because the rate applies to the pre-tax price.
| Combined rate | Sales tax | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 4% | $4.00 | $104.00 |
| 5% | $5.00 | $105.00 |
| 6% | $6.00 | $106.00 |
| 7% | $7.00 | $107.00 |
| 8% | $8.00 | $108.00 |
| 8.875% | $8.88 | $108.88 |
| 10% | $10.00 | $110.00 |
| Total paid | Price before tax | Tax included |
|---|---|---|
| $21.60 | $20.00 | $1.60 |
| $54.00 | $50.00 | $4.00 |
| $108.00 | $100.00 | $8.00 |
| $540.00 | $500.00 | $40.00 |
Not everything is taxed
Many places exempt or reduce the rate on some items, such as groceries, prescription medicine or clothing, while taxing others. Enter only the taxable items, or work out each separately, as in this example at a 7.5% rate:
| Item | Price | Taxable? | Tax |
|---|---|---|---|
| Headphones | $89.99 | Yes | $6.75 |
| Groceries | $42.50 | No (exempt in this example) | $0.00 |
| Phone case | $24.99 | Yes | $1.87 |
| Total | $157.48 | $8.62 |
The total tax is $8.62 and the amount to pay is $166.10. If the whole basket were taxed, the tax would be $11.81.
How sales tax is set in the United States
- It varies by place. Rates are set by states, and often also by counties and cities, so the combined rate can differ between neighbouring towns.
- A few states have no statewide sales tax, including Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire and Delaware, though some local areas may add their own taxes.
- Online purchases. Most sellers now collect tax based on the buyer's location. Where they do not, you may owe a use tax yourself.
- Find your rate on your state's department of revenue website, or on a receipt from a local store.
Sales tax and VAT
Sales tax is charged only on the final sale to the consumer, and is usually added at the till. VAT is charged at each stage of the supply chain, with businesses reclaiming the VAT they pay, and prices are usually shown including VAT. If you are working with VAT, use the VAT calculator. This tool gives estimates, and the receipt is the final word.