What is a sales tax calculator?
A Sales Tax Calculator adds US sales tax to a price, or works backwards from a price that already includes tax. It helps shoppers budget for the real checkout total and helps small sellers check receipts and quotes.
How to use it
- Choose Before Tax Price to add tax, or After Tax Price to remove it.
- Enter the price.
- Pick a state to fill in an approximate combined state and local rate, or enter your exact rate.
- Click Calculate to see the tax and the total (or the pre-tax price).
The state rates in the table are approximate averages. Your exact rate depends on your city, county and the type of item, so confirm it with your state’s tax agency for large purchases.
Sales tax formulas
Sales tax = Price × Tax rate
Total = Price + Sales tax = Price × (1 + Tax rate)
Price before tax = Total ÷ (1 + Tax rate)
Examples
- A $750 item at 7%: tax = $750 × 0.07 = $52.50, total $802.50.
- A $30,000 car at 6%: tax = $1,800, total $31,800 before registration and other fees.
- A receipt total of $1,080 at 8%: price before tax = $1,080 ÷ 1.08 = $1,000, so the tax was $80.
Why sales tax differs by location
In the US, sales tax is set by states and often added to by counties and cities, so two stores a few miles apart can charge different rates. A few states have no statewide sales tax, and many states tax some items, such as groceries or clothing, at lower rates or not at all.
Tips
- Budget for tax before you shop; a $1,000 item can cost $1,080 or more at checkout.
- For online orders, the tax usually depends on the delivery address.
- For cars, ask the dealer whether your state taxes the price before or after a trade-in credit.
- Businesses that sell taxable goods should check registration and filing rules with their state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiply the purchase price by the sales tax rate expressed as a decimal. For example, a $500 purchase with a 6% tax rate would have $30 in sales tax, resulting in a total of $530.
Check your state department of revenue or tax agency website, which usually offers a rate lookup by address. The rates in the calculator’s table are approximate averages.
Yes. Enter the vehicle price and estimated applicable tax rate to calculate the potential sales tax and total cost. Additional fees and taxes may apply depending on the location.
A reverse sales tax calculator works backward from a tax-inclusive price. It can estimate the original price before tax and determine how much of the total represents sales tax.
Sales tax rates can differ between states and local jurisdictions. Some areas may have state, county, city, or other applicable taxes, so the total rate can depend on where the transaction takes place.
Disclaimer: This calculator gives estimates for general information only. It is not financial, tax or legal advice. Results depend on the numbers you enter and on simplified assumptions, so your actual figures may differ. Check important decisions with a qualified professional or the official source.
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