Sales tax calculator by state
Pick your state, add your local rate if you know it, and enter a price: the sales tax calculator shows the tax and the total. To add tax, multiply the pre-tax price by 1 plus the rate. To back it out of a total, divide by 1 plus the rate. Add local taxes separately.
- ✅ Free
- 🔒 No sign-up
- 📱 Works on mobile
- ⚡ Instant results
Estimate only. Combined sales tax depends on your exact location and on what you buy: some items such as groceries or clothing are taxed at a lower rate or exempt in some states.
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📌 Key facts
- To add sales tax, multiply the pre-tax price by 1 plus the rate; to remove it from a total, divide by 1 plus the rate.
- A $50 item with 8% sales tax costs $54.
- Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon.
- Most states collect a base rate and allow local governments to add their own rate.
- Alaska has no state sales tax but still allows local sales taxes.
Sales tax formulas
Sales tax is a percentage of the pre-tax price, added at checkout.
\[ \text{tax} = \dfrac{\text{pre-tax price} \times \text{rate}}{100} \]
\[ \text{total} = \text{pre-tax price} \times \left( 1 + \dfrac{\text{rate}}{100} \right) \]
\[ \text{pre-tax price} = \dfrac{\text{total}}{1 + \dfrac{\text{rate}}{100}} \]
The combined rate is the state rate plus any county, city and special-district rates: 6.25% state + 2% local = 8.25% in Texas for example.
State vs. local sales tax
Most states collect a base rate and let local governments add their own. Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. Alaska still allows local sales taxes.
| State | State rate | Example combined rate |
|---|---|---|
| California | 7.25% | 7.25% + local district taxes |
| New York | 4% | 8.875% in New York City |
| Texas | 6.25% | up to 8.25% with local taxes |
| Oregon | 0% | 0% |
Sales tax calculator: worked examples
Take a $50 item and an 8% combined rate. First, the tax is 50 × 8 ÷ 100, or $4. Then the total is $54. In the other direction, if a receipt shows $54 with 8% tax, divide by 1.08 to get $50. So the tax portion is $4.
For example, a $1,200 laptop with 7.25% tax costs $87 in tax and $1,287 in total. Also, a combined rate adds the state and local parts, such as 6% plus 2%.
Sales tax calculator: what is and is not taxed
Rules vary by state. In general, many states tax clothing and electronics. However, many exempt groceries or prescription drugs. Some states tax services, while others do not. Online purchases may also carry tax, because most states collect it on remote sales.
- Often taxed: electronics, restaurant meals, furniture.
- Often exempt or reduced: groceries, medicine.
- Varies: clothing, digital goods, services.
Therefore, check your state before a large purchase.
Sales tax calculator: related tools
You can pair this tool with others. First, apply a sale with the discount calculator. Then work out the tip with the tip calculator. Next, find profit with the margin calculator.
Finally, for any percent problem, open the percentage calculator. These results are estimates, because local rates change often.
Sales tax calculator: shoppers, sellers and online orders
Sales tax does not touch everyone in the same way. A shopper pays it at checkout. A seller collects it for the state and sends it in. Online sellers must collect it in most states when they pass a sales threshold. So the tax often appears on web orders too.
For example, a $100 order with a combined 8% rate adds $8. Shipping may or may not be taxed, depending on the state. Therefore, check the final screen before you pay.
Sales tax calculator: combined state and local rates
The combined rate adds the state base rate and the local rate. For instance, a state rate of 6% plus a local rate of 2.5% gives 8.5%. So two cities in the same state can have different totals. Enter your local rate in the local field to match your receipt.
However, rates change, and special districts may add more. Always check the current rate with your state's revenue department.
Sales tax calculator: practice problems
Try a few cases. A $250 item at 6% tax costs $265. A receipt of $53.50 with 7% tax shows $50 before tax, since 53.50 ÷ 1.07 equals 50. A $20 meal at 9% tax adds $1.80.
So you can spot a wrong total fast. Next, redo the math in the tool to confirm. Finally, remember that dividing by 1 plus the rate removes tax, while subtracting the rate does not.
3 real-life examples
A $59.99 item in New York City
State 4% plus 4.875% in city and regional taxes gives 8.875%. Tax = 59.99 × 0.08875 = $5.32, so the total is $65.31.
A $1,200 laptop in Texas
At 8.25% (6.25% state + 2% local), tax = 1,200 × 0.0825 = $99. You pay $1,299.
Backing tax out of a receipt
A receipt total is $107.00 with 7% tax included. Pre-tax price = 107 ÷ 1.07 = $100.00, and the tax is $7.00.