Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax amount and total price, or reverse calculate pre-tax price from total, with support for state and local tax rates
Calculate with Sales Tax Calculator
Sales Tax Calculation
Enter the actual combined rates for the sale location and item type. This calculator does not determine nexus, exemptions, tax holidays, marketplace collection rules, or use-tax filing obligations.
Price Breakdown
Multiple Quantity Calculator
| Quantity | Subtotal | Sales Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $100.00 | $7.00 | $107.00 |
| 2 | $200.00 | $14.00 | $214.00 |
| 5 | $500.00 | $35.00 | $535.00 |
| 10 | $1000.00 | $70.00 | $1070.00 |
| 25 | $2500.00 | $175.00 | $2675.00 |
| 50 | $5000.00 | $350.00 | $5350.00 |
| 100 | $10000.00 | $700.00 | $10700.00 |
Example State Sales Tax Rates
* Rates shown are state-level reference examples, not a live tax table. Local taxes may apply, and taxability can vary by product or service. Always check your specific location.
Assumptions
Use Sales Tax Calculator for financial estimate planning when you need a clear estimate, transparent inputs, and a result you can review before taking the next step.
Worked example
When To Use Sales Tax Calculator
- Start with a representative scenario in Sales Tax Calculator so rates, dates, balances, or other key assumptions match the question you are comparing.
- Review whether the estimate matches the planning scenario before you use it for a budget, plan, or discussion.
Sample Input And Output Checks
- Start with inputs that match the real scenario, not only a rounded placeholder.
- Review amount, rate, term, timing, fees, tax treatment, and decision horizon before trusting the output.
- Use the result as an estimate to review against statements, lender terms, tax forms, quotes, or qualified advice when the decision is material.
About This Tool
A sales tax calculator helps you determine the tax amount and total cost of purchases, or work backward from a total price to find the pre-tax amount. Enter the state and local rates that apply to your location and item type; this calculator is not a live jurisdiction lookup and does not decide whether an item is taxable. For other tax calculations, check our Income Tax Calculator.
How Sales Tax Works in the U.S.
Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on retail sales. 45 states plus D.C. have state-level sales tax, while Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no state sales tax (though Alaska allows local sales taxes). State rates range from 2.9% (Colorado) to 7.25% (California). Many jurisdictions add local taxes (city, county, special district), making combined rates as high as 10-11% in some areas. For example, Louisiana has a 4.45% state rate, but combined state and local rates in some parishes exceed 11%.
Tax-Exempt Purchases
Not all purchases are taxed. Common exemptions include most groceries (though varies by state), prescription medications, certain medical devices and services, educational materials and services, some clothing (in states like Pennsylvania under $110), and purchases made with resale certificates (for businesses buying inventory). Some states have "tax holidays" on specific items like back-to-school supplies or hurricane preparedness items during certain periods. Calculate your savings with our Discount Calculator.
Online Sales and Use Tax
Following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, online retailers must collect sales tax in states where they have "economic nexus" (typically $100,000+ in sales or 200+ transactions). If you buy from an out-of-state retailer that doesn't collect sales tax, you technically owe "use tax" at your state's rate - though enforcement is difficult and compliance is low. Many states now have use tax lines on income tax returns.
Business Applications and Pricing Strategy
For businesses, understanding sales tax is critical for pricing decisions. Should you advertise tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive prices? Most U.S. retailers show pre-tax prices (unlike Europe where tax is included), but some service businesses include tax in quoted prices for simplicity. Also factor in that you're a tax collector for the government: collect sales tax from customers, hold it in trust, and remit quarterly or monthly. Use our Percentage Calculator for quick tax rate calculations.