Sales Tax Calculator

Calculate the sales tax amount and total price of an item, or use the reverse calculator to find the original price from a tax-inclusive total.

US State Sales Tax Rates (2024)

Typical state-level sales tax rates for reference. Note that local/city taxes may apply in addition to these rates.

State State Tax Rate Max Local Rate
California7.25%10.75%
Texas6.25%8.25%
Florida6.00%8.00%
New York4.00%8.875%
Illinois6.25%11.00%
Pennsylvania6.00%8.00%
Ohio5.75%8.00%
Georgia4.00%9.00%
North Carolina4.75%7.50%
Michigan6.00%0.00%

About Sales Tax Calculator

Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by governments on the sale of goods and services. In many countries, including the United States, sales tax is added at the point of sale rather than being included in the displayed price.

Our calculator helps you determine exactly how much tax you'll pay on a purchase, or helps business owners and shoppers work backward from a total price to find the original cost of an item.

What This Calculator Is Good For

  • Shopping: Know the final price of an item before you reach the checkout counter.
  • Business Accounting: Separate sales tax from total revenue for tax filing purposes.
  • Expense Tracking: Accurately record the base price and tax for business expenses.
  • Comparison: Compare total costs across different jurisdictions with varying tax rates.

Limitations & Considerations

  • Local Taxes: Many cities and counties impose additional sales taxes on top of the state rate.
  • Exemptions: Certain items like groceries, medicine, or clothing may be tax-exempt or taxed at a lower rate depending on the location.
  • Tax Holidays: Some states have "tax-free weekends" where sales tax is temporarily waived on specific items.
  • International VAT: While the math is similar, Value Added Tax (VAT) in other countries often has different rules for inclusion in displayed prices.

Sales Tax Formulas

Forward Calculation (Add Tax):
Tax Amount = Price × (Tax Rate / 100)
Total Price = Price + Tax Amount

Reverse Calculation (Remove Tax):
Original Price = Total Price / (1 + Tax Rate / 100)
Tax Amount = Total Price - Original Price

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sales tax and VAT?
Sales tax is collected only at the final sale to the consumer. VAT (Value Added Tax) is collected at every stage of the production and distribution chain.
Which US states have no sales tax?
Five US states do not have a general sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, some local municipalities in Alaska do charge sales tax.
How do I calculate sales tax manually?
To add tax, multiply the price by (1 + tax rate as a decimal). For example, for a 7% tax on $100: $100 * 1.07 = $107.
Is sales tax deductible?
In the US, you can sometimes choose to deduct state and local sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes on your federal return if you itemize deductions.
Why is sales tax not included in the price in the US?
Because tax rates vary significantly by city and county, it's difficult for national retailers to print prices that include tax. It also makes the base price look lower to consumers.