Sales Tax Calculator
Sales tax is calculated by multiplying the price by the tax rate: Tax = Price × Rate. For 8% tax on $50: $50 × 0.08 = $4 tax. Total = $54. US sales tax rates range from 0% to over 10% depending on state and locality.
Calculate sales tax on purchases. Add tax to price or extract tax from total. Includes US state tax rates reference.
Price Before Tax
$
Tax Rate
%
US State Tax Rates (click to expand)
Note: These are state base rates. Local rates may apply.
About Sales Tax
- 5 US states have no sales tax: AK, DE, MT, NH, OR
- Local taxes can add 1-5% on top of state rates
- Some items may be exempt (groceries, medicine)
- Use "Extract Tax" to find pre-tax price from receipt total
How to Use
- Enter your value in the input field
- Click the Calculate/Convert button
- Copy the result to your clipboard
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I calculate sales tax?
- Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal. For a $50 item with 8% tax: $50 × 0.08 = $4 tax. Total with tax: $50 + $4 = $54. Alternatively: $50 × 1.08 = $54 total directly.
- What is the average sales tax rate in the US?
- US sales tax varies by state and locality. State rates range from 0% (Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, Alaska) to 7.25% (California). Combined state and local rates can reach 10%+ in some areas. Average combined rate is about 6.5%.
- How do I calculate the pre-tax price from a total?
- Divide the total by (1 + tax rate). For a $54 total with 8% tax: $54 ÷ 1.08 = $50 pre-tax price. This reverse calculation is useful for expense reports or when you only know the final price.
- What items are tax-exempt?
- Tax exemptions vary by state. Common exemptions include: groceries (most states), prescription medications, clothing (some states), and items for resale. Some states have tax-free weekends for back-to-school or emergency supplies.
- Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
- Since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court ruling, states can require online retailers to collect sales tax even without physical presence. Most large online retailers now collect applicable state and local taxes automatically.