FinanceCalcs
Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to any price, reverse-calculate the pre-tax amount from a tax-inclusive total, or look up your state's base sales tax rate — instantly.
Works for any US state or custom tax rate — includes a comparison table showing tax amounts across a range of rates.
Sales Tax Calculator
- Pre-Tax Price
- Tax
"In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes."
— Benjamin Franklin
Sales tax by state
Five U.S. states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska is the exception — while there is no state-level tax, local municipalities may impose their own rates.
The highest base state rates belong to California (7.25%), followed by Indiana, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Tennessee (all at 7%). When local county and city taxes are added, the combined rate in some areas of California, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana can exceed 10% — the rate you actually pay at the register.
Most states exempt certain categories from sales tax — groceries, prescription drugs, and clothing are commonly exempt, though the rules vary significantly by state. Always verify your specific situation with your state's department of revenue for the current combined rate in your area.
chevron_right Learn more about U.S. sales taxes on Wikipedia
lightbulb Example Sales Tax Scenarios
Adding tax: You are buying a $349 item in Tennessee, where the combined state and local rate is 9.75%. Tax = $349 × 0.0975 = $34.03. Total at register: $383.03.
Reverse calculation: You received a receipt showing a $54.30 total with an 8.5% tax rate applied. Pre-tax price = $54.30 ÷ 1.085 = $50.05. Tax paid = $4.25.
No-tax state: The same $349 item purchased in Oregon costs exactly $349.00 — no sales tax applied at any level.
Many shoppers use a sales tax calculator when comparing prices across state lines, budgeting for a large purchase, or verifying a receipt.
Sales Tax Calculator FAQs
Which states have no sales tax?
Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Of these, Alaska is the only one that allows local jurisdictions to impose their own sales taxes — so some Alaskan cities and boroughs do charge sales tax even though the state does not. The other four states have no sales tax at any level.
How do I calculate sales tax in reverse from a total?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by (1 + the tax rate as a decimal). For example, if you paid $107 and the tax rate was 7%, the pre-tax price was $107 ÷ 1.07 = $100. The tax amount was $7. This is called a reverse or "back-calculate" sales tax — the calculator's reverse mode does this automatically.
Are groceries and medicine taxed?
It depends on the state. Most states exempt prescription drugs entirely. Groceries are more variable — some states fully exempt food for home preparation, others apply a reduced rate, and a few tax groceries at the full rate. Prepared food (restaurant meals, hot food at convenience stores) is almost universally taxed. Always check your state's specific rules, as exemptions can be complex.
What is the difference between sales tax and VAT?
U.S. sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale to the consumer and is not included in the listed price — you see the tax added at checkout. VAT (Value Added Tax), used in most other countries, is collected at each stage of the supply chain and is typically included in the displayed price. Both are ultimately paid by the end consumer, but the collection mechanism and price presentation differ significantly.
Sales tax terminology
Sales Tax
A consumption tax imposed by government on the sale of goods and services. In the U.S., sales taxes are levied at the state, county, and city level and are not included in the listed price — they are added at the point of sale.
Combined Rate
The total effective tax rate including state, county, and city taxes. The combined rate is what you actually pay at the register — often meaningfully higher than the base state rate alone. This calculator uses the base state rate; check your local jurisdiction for the combined rate.
Reverse Sales Tax
Working backward from a tax-inclusive total to find the original pre-tax price. Formula: Pre-Tax Price = Total ÷ (1 + Tax Rate). Useful for verifying receipts or determining the pre-tax cost of a purchase.
VAT (Value Added Tax)
Used in most countries outside the U.S. Unlike U.S. sales tax — collected only at the final sale — VAT is collected at each stage of production. Prices in VAT countries are typically shown inclusive of tax, so no surprise is added at checkout.
Tax-Exempt Categories
Goods and services excluded from sales tax by law. Common exemptions include prescription drugs, groceries (in many states), and certain clothing items. Rules vary significantly by state — always verify exemptions with your state's department of revenue.
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