Sales Tax Calculator
Free sales tax calculator. Add sales tax to a price or back the tax out of a tax-inclusive total. Enter amount and rate to get tax, subtotal, and total instantly.
- Tax Foundation data · June 2026
- Edited by Martín Rodríguez
- Formula verified by automated tests
- Private — runs on your device
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How to use this calculator
Follow this tool’s steps, then review its formula, assumptions, and limits below.
When to use this calculator
- Adding state and local sales tax to a price before checkout
- Reverse-calculating the tax already included in a receipt total
- Comparing the out-the-door cost of a purchase across states with different rates
- Separating pre-tax revenue from collected tax for bookkeeping
- Estimating tax on a big-ticket item (appliance, furniture, electronics)
- Checking whether a quoted 'tax included' price matches the advertised rate
Example Combined Sales Tax Rates by State (2026)
| State | State Base Rate | Typical Combined Rate (State + Local) |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon | 0% | 0% (no sales tax) |
| Delaware | 0% | 0% (no sales tax) |
| Montana | 0% | 0% (no sales tax) |
| New Hampshire | 0% | 0% (no sales tax) |
| California | 7.25% | 7.25%–10.75% |
| Texas | 6.25% | 6.25%–8.25% |
| New York | 4% | 4%–8.875% |
| Louisiana | ~5% | up to ~11.45% |
Fuente: Tax Foundation — State and Local Sales Tax Rates 2026 (taxfoundation.org). Combined rates include state, county, city, and special-district levies; verify the exact rate for your ZIP code with your state's Department of Revenue.
How it works
What is a sales tax calculator?
A sales tax calculator computes the tax owed on a purchase from a price and a tax rate. It runs in two directions: forward (add tax to a pre-tax price to get the total) or reverse (extract the tax portion from a tax-inclusive total). In the US, sales tax is a combined state + county + city + special-district rate, which is why two stores a few miles apart can charge different amounts. Unlike VAT (common in Europe and Canada), US sales tax is added at the point of sale and shown separately on the receipt—it is never embedded in the shelf price by law.
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How It Works
You provide an amount and a rate, then choose whether the amount is pre-tax (add mode) or tax-inclusive (reverse mode). In add mode the tax is a simple percentage of the price. In reverse mode the calculator divides the total by 1 + rate to recover the original pre-tax price, then takes the difference as tax.
> When to use reverse mode: online receipts, expense reimbursements, and imported invoices often show only a grand total. Reverse mode lets you reconstruct the taxable base—important for bookkeeping and VAT/GST filings.
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Formula
r = rate / 100
// Add mode (amount is pre-tax)
tax = amount × r
total = amount + tax
net = amount
// Reverse mode (amount is tax-inclusive total)
net = amount / (1 + r)
tax = amount − net
total = amount---
Worked Example
Add mode: $100.00 at 8.25% (Houston, TX combined rate).
| Step | Value |
|---|---|
| Rate as decimal | 0.0825 |
| Tax = 100 × 0.0825 | $8.25 |
| Total = 100 + 8.25 | $108.25 |
Reverse mode: a receipt total of $108.25 at 8.25%.
| Step | Value |
|---|---|
| Pre-tax = 108.25 ÷ 1.0825 | $100.00 |
| Tax = 108.25 − 100.00 | $8.25 |
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Example Combined Rates (2025)
Rates combine the state base rate with average local add-ons; they vary by exact address.
| Location | Approx. combined rate |
|---|---|
| Oregon, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Alaska* | 0% (no state sales tax) |
| Colorado | ~8–10% (state 2.9% + high local rates) |
| California | ~8.5–10.75% (state 7.25% + locals) |
| Tennessee | ~9.5% (state 7% + locals; among highest) |
| Louisiana | ~9.5–10% (state 4.45% + parishes) |
| New York City | 8.875% (state 4% + city/MTA) |
| Texas (most cities) | 8.25% (state 6.25% + up to 2% local) |
\*Alaska has no state tax but many municipalities levy local sales taxes (0–7.5%).
Source: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2025.
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What This Calculator Does NOT Include
This tool applies a single flat rate to a single amount. Real-world transactions can be more complex:
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Common Errors to Avoid
| Mistake | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Using a state rate and ignoring local add-ons | Understates tax; can cause compliance issues for sellers |
| Applying the rate directly to a tax-inclusive total | Double-counts tax; use reverse mode instead |
| Assuming the same rate applies to all items | Product-level exemptions exist in most states |
| Using last year's rate | Rates change frequently—verify against your state's revenue department |
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Quick Reference: When to Use Each Mode
| Situation | Mode |
|---|---|
| Quoting a customer or estimating a purchase | Add mode |
| Reconciling a receipt or expense report | Reverse mode |
| Checking a vendor invoice for correct tax | Reverse mode |
| Filing a seller's tax return (computing taxable base from gross sales) | Reverse mode |
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> Note: This calculator is a computational aid. For tax compliance, business filings, or cross-state e-commerce obligations, consult a CPA or your state's Department of Revenue.
Example: $250 purchase at an 8.25% sales tax rate
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax on a price?
How do I reverse sales tax out of a total?
Which US states have no sales tax?
What is the difference between sales tax and VAT?
Is sales tax based on where I buy or where I live?
Why is the combined rate higher than the state rate?
Are groceries and medicine taxed?
Do I charge sales tax as a small business?
Does this calculator include local and city taxes?
Sources & references
- Tax Foundation — State and Local Sales Tax Rates 2026 — Tax Foundation (2026)
- South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. (economic nexus) — U.S. Supreme Court (2018)
- Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board — Rate and Boundary Databases — Streamlined Sales Tax Governing Board (2026)
Methodology & trust
Finance calculator with its formula verified automatically against Tax Foundation — State and Local Sales Tax Rates 2026, per our editorial policy and methodology.
Updated: June 2026. Parameters are verified periodically against the cited sources.
Calculations run 100% in your browser. We do not store or transmit your data.
Indicative results. For critical decisions, consult a professional.
Rodríguez, M. (2026). Sales Tax Calculator. Hacé Cuentas. https://hacecuentas.com/en/sales-tax-calculator
Content licensed under CC-BY 4.0 — reuse it citing the source with a link to Hacé Cuentas.