Personal Finance
Sales Tax Calculator
The sticker price is never the checkout price. Add the tax, or reverse-engineer the pre-tax price from a total.
Sales tax is a percentage added to the purchase price of goods and services, collected by state and local governments. Total cost = price × (1 + rate). U.S. combined rates typically range from about 0% to 10%. Figures are estimates before taxes and fees — verify details with a licensed advisor where needed.
Total = price × (1 + rate).
US combined rates: 0–10%.
Oregon, Montana, NH, DE: 0%.
Calculate Your Sales Tax
Total Price
What Is Sales Tax?
Sales tax is collected at the point of sale, in the U.S., a stack of state, county, city, and special-district rates, commonly 0–10% combined.
The calculator works both directions: add tax to a price, or divide a total to recover the pre-tax base.
How It Is Calculated
Tax = price × rate ÷ 100
Total = price × (1 + rate ÷ 100)
Example: Example: $100 at 8.25% → $108.25 total
Highest combined state rates (approx.)
| State | Combined rate |
|---|---|
| Tennessee | ~9.55% |
| Louisiana | ~9.56% |
| Arkansas | ~9.45% |
| Washington | ~9.38% |
| Oregon / Delaware / Montana / New Hampshire | 0% |
Limitations
- Local rates change, verify for your address.
- Some goods (groceries, prescriptions) are exempt or reduced-rate.
- Use-tax applies to online purchases in many states.
Sources & Review
References used for this calculator’s formulas and thresholds:
Sales Tax FAQ
How is sales tax calculated?
Multiply the pre-tax price by the combined rate: $100 × 8.25% = $8.25, total $108.25.
Which states have no sales tax?
Oregon, Delaware, Montana, and New Hampshire. Alaska has no state tax but allows local ones.
Do I owe tax on online purchases?
In most states, yes, either collected at checkout or owed as use tax on your return.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
No, sales tax is charged only at the final sale; VAT is collected at every production stage (and is included in displayed EU prices).
Please read this first: these results are educational estimates. For real decisions, talk to a qualified professional.