Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate US-style sales tax on any purchase. Enter the amount and your state's tax rate to see the tax and the total payable.
How sales tax works
Sales tax in the United States is a consumption tax charged at the point of sale. It is calculated as Tax = Purchase Amount × (Rate ÷ 100). Unlike VAT, sales tax is only charged to the end consumer and is not refundable. Rates vary by state, county and city, and can be combined (state + local).
For example, on a $100 purchase at a 7.25% combined rate, the sales tax is $7.25 and the total is $107.25.
Average state sales tax rates
- California — 7.25% (highest base state rate)
- Texas — 6.25%
- New York — 4% (plus local)
- Florida — 6%
- Delaware, Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Alaska — 0% (no state sales tax)
What Does a Sales Tax Calculator Do?
A sales tax calculator works out the tax on a sale and the total the customer pays. Handy for checking retail prices, preparing quotes, or verifying the tax on a transaction.
Sales tax rules and rates depend on where you are, so confirm the right percentage before using the result on a formal document.
What Goes Into a Sales Tax Calculation
- Pre-tax price: The taxable amount before sales tax.
- Sales tax rate: Whatever percentage applies.
- Tax amount: The calculated tax.
- Total price: The amount after tax is added.
- Tax-inclusive price: Separate the tax from a total that already includes it, if needed.
- Exemptions: Check if the product, service, or customer is exempt before applying a rate.
How to Use It
- Open the Sales Tax Calculator.
- Enter the taxable amount.
- Enter the sales tax percentage.
- Check the tax and final total.
- Confirm against current local rules before filing or publishing the number.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What does a sales tax calculator show?
The tax amount and total after sales tax.
2. Can sales tax already be in the price?
Yes — you can work backward to the taxable amount if you know the right rate.
3. Are sales tax rates universal?
No, they vary by location and transaction type.
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