Calculate sales tax on any purchase, or reverse-calculate the pre-tax price from a total.
Sales tax is a consumption tax charged at the point of sale on most goods and some services. In the U.S., sales tax is set at the state and local level, resulting in a patchwork of rates that vary by location. The total rate you pay is the sum of your state rate, county rate, and city rate. Five states have no sales tax: Alaska (though local taxes may apply), Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon.
Enter the pre-tax price and your combined sales tax rate. The calculator shows the tax amount and the total price after tax. You can also work backward: enter the total amount you paid and the tax rate to find the pre-tax price. This is useful for expense reports, budget tracking, and understanding the actual cost of purchases.
State base rates range from 0% (the five no-tax states) to 7.25% (California, the highest state rate). When local taxes are included, the highest combined rates can exceed 10% in parts of Louisiana, Tennessee, and Washington. The average combined rate across the U.S. is approximately 6.6%. For take-home pay comparisons across states, see the Paycheck Calculator and our Best States for Take-Home Pay guide.
The United States has no federal sales tax; instead, 45 states and the District of Columbia impose their own state sales taxes, ranging from 2.9% (Colorado) to 7.25% (California). Five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, many localities add their own sales tax on top of the state rate, creating combined rates that can exceed 10% in some areas. The highest combined rates are found in parts of Louisiana (11.45%), Tennessee (9.75%), and Arkansas (11.625%).
Sales tax exemptions vary by state and create significant complexity. Most states exempt groceries (unprepared food), prescription medications, and certain clothing items. Some states have periodic "sales tax holidays" (typically for back-to-school shopping or hurricane preparedness supplies) where certain items are temporarily tax-free. For online purchases, the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair allows states to require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax, effectively ending the era of tax-free online shopping. The Discount Calculator can combine discount and tax calculations to show the final out-the-door price.
Use tax is the overlooked counterpart to sales tax. When you purchase items from out-of-state sellers who do not collect sales tax, you technically owe "use tax" to your home state at the same rate as your local sales tax. While enforcement has historically been lax for individuals, the Wayfair decision has increased compliance as more online retailers now collect sales tax automatically. Business purchases are more closely audited. For major purchases like vehicles, boats, or equipment bought out of state, your home state will typically assess use tax when you register or title the item. Knowing your total combined rate (state plus local) helps accurately budget for major purchases.