Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax amount and total price for any US state or custom rate.
How It Works
- 1
Enter the pre-tax amount
Type the price before tax. Select your US state or toggle 'Custom rate' to enter your local combined rate.
- 2
View the tax breakdown
See the sales tax amount, rate applied, and total price including tax.
- 3
Compare across states
Switch between states to compare costs. Remember displayed rates are statewide — local taxes may add more.
Understanding Sales Tax
Sales tax in the United States is uniquely complex compared to most countries' value-added tax (VAT) systems. Unlike VAT, which is a single national rate included in the displayed price, US sales tax is added at the point of purchase and varies by state, county, city, and special taxing districts. Five states have no statewide sales tax (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon), though Alaska permits local municipalities to levy their own taxes. Among states with sales tax, rates range from 2.9% (Colorado) to 7.25% (California) at the state level, but combined state and local rates can reach over 10%. Our calculator includes current statewide rates for all 50 states plus a custom rate option for your specific combined local rate.
Common pitfalls
Statewide rates do not include local add-ons. Chicago's combined rate is 10.25% (6.25% state, 1.25% city, 1.75% county, 1% RTA). Los Angeles totals 9.5% (7.25% California plus district). Use the custom-rate field for your ZIP code before quoting a final number.
For online and remote sales, tax is sourced to the buyer's shipping address in most states. After South Dakota v. Wayfair (2018), out-of-state sellers meeting each state's economic nexus threshold must collect at the buyer's combined rate, not the seller's.
Taxable items vary by state. Groceries are exempt in most states, taxed at reduced rates in Illinois, Missouri, and Utah, and fully taxed in Alabama. Clothing is exempt in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Minnesota; New York exempts items under $110 at the state level only. Always verify state-specific rules before estimating tax on mixed baskets.
Sales-tax holidays temporarily override the rate. Florida, Texas, and many other states run back-to-school holidays in August that exempt qualifying clothing and school supplies. These windows are not reflected in standard state rate tables and are easy to miss.
US retailers display pre-tax prices and add tax at checkout, unlike European VAT-inclusive pricing. When comparing US and EU sticker prices, add the applicable combined sales tax to the US figure before drawing a conclusion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is sales tax calculated?
Sales tax is calculated by multiplying the pre-tax price by the tax rate (as a decimal). For example, 7.25% tax on $100 = $100 × 0.0725 = $7.25, making the total $107.25.
Which US states have no sales tax?
Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, Alaska allows local municipalities to levy their own sales taxes.
Are sales tax rates the same everywhere in a state?
No. The rates shown here are statewide base rates. Cities, counties, and special districts can add local taxes on top. For example, Los Angeles adds 2.25% to California's 7.25% base, totaling 9.5%.
Related Tools
Mortgage Calculator
Calculate monthly payments, total interest, and view amortization schedule.
Tip Calculator
Calculate tip amount and split the bill between multiple people.
Compound Interest Calculator
Calculate how your investment grows over time with compound interest and optional regular contributions.