Sales Tax Calculator
find exactly what you owe at checkout.
Instant tax for all 50 states plus local rate estimates. No sign-up, no tracking, works offline.
Sales Tax Calculator
Enter your purchase details to see the exact tax amount and final total for any US state.
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Already know the tax-included total? Find the pre-tax price and how much was tax.
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| State | State rate | Avg. local | Combined avg. |
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Avg. local = typical county + city combined. Actual local rates vary — verify with your county assessor.
How sales tax works
Sales tax in the US is collected at the state level, but most states also allow counties and cities to add their own rates on top. The calculator above uses the base state rate add a local rate if you know it for a more precise total.
How to Calculate Sales Tax
Tax = Price × (rate ÷ 100)
Total = Price × (1 + rate ÷ 100)
Example: a $75 item at 7% → $75 × 0.07 = $5.25 tax → $80.25 total.
Reverse Sales Tax: Find the Price Before Tax
When a receipt shows only the total, work backwards: Pre-tax price = Total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100). Example: an $858 receipt at 7.25% → $858 ÷ 1.0725 = $800.00 pre-tax, so the tax paid was $58.00. Use the Reverse tab in the calculator above.
Sales Tax Example: New York City (8.875%)
A $100 item in NYC: tax = $100 × 0.08875 = $8.88 → total $108.88. The 8.875% is made of 4% New York State + 4.5% New York City + 0.375% MTA transit surcharge.
What Your Rate Is Made Of: State + County + City + District
Your checkout rate stacks in layers: the state base rate, plus optional county, city, and special-district add-ons. Texas, for example, charges 6.25% statewide but allows up to 2% in local add-ons (8.25% cap). Always check the combined rate for your address — the state number alone understates what you pay.
Which States Have No Sales Tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no statewide sales tax (remember: NOMAD). Caveat: Alaska lets local municipalities levy their own tax, so some Alaskan towns do charge sales tax.
States With the Highest and Lowest Sales Tax
Highest statewide rate: California at 7.25%. Lowest nonzero statewide: Colorado at 2.90%. But combined averages tell a different story: Louisiana and Tennessee average ~9.55% with local taxes included, followed by Arkansas at ~9.46%. Distinguish statewide from combined — many articles conflate them.
Are Groceries Taxed?
It depends on the state and the food. Most states exempt unprepared groceries; some apply a reduced rate; a few tax them fully. Prepared or hot food is usually taxed even where plain groceries are exempt. Restaurant meals are taxed almost everywhere.
Sales Tax vs. VAT: What’s the Difference?
U.S. sales tax is charged once, at checkout, on top of the sticker price. VAT — used in 160+ countries — is collected at every production stage and baked into the displayed price. That is why a €100 item in Paris costs €100 at the register, while a $100 item in New York costs $108.88.
Can You Deduct Sales Tax on Your Federal Taxes?
Only if you itemize — and you must pick sales tax or state/local income tax, not both. It usually makes sense in big-purchase years (a car, wedding, or major appliances). Fewer than 2% of Americans claim it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate sales tax on a purchase?
Which states have no sales tax?
What is the sales tax rate in New York City?
How do you reverse-calculate sales tax from a total?
What is the highest sales tax rate in the U.S.?
What is the lowest sales tax rate in the U.S.?
Why is the tax at checkout higher than my state’s rate?
Are groceries taxed?
What is the difference between sales tax and VAT?
Can I deduct sales tax on my federal income tax return?
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
How do I find my exact local sales tax rate?
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