About the Sales Tax Calculator
This sales tax calculator works in both directions. In “add tax” mode it takes a pre-tax price and your combined sales tax rate and returns the tax and the total you will pay at the register. In “remove tax” mode (reverse sales tax) it takes a total that already includes tax and splits it back into the pre-tax price and the tax portion.
It is useful for shoppers budgeting a big purchase, small businesses pricing products or filing sales tax returns, and anyone checking a receipt or expense claim. Enter a quantity to price several identical items at once.
In the US, sales tax is set by states, counties and cities, so the rate you pay is usually the state rate plus local rates. Use the combined rate for your exact location (it is printed on most receipts). Five states — Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon — have no statewide sales tax.
With the default inputs, the sales tax is $41.25. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the sales tax calculator
- 1Choose whether you are adding tax to a price or removing it from a total.
- 2Enter the price (or tax-inclusive total) per item and the quantity.
- 3Enter the combined state and local sales tax rate for where you buy.
- 4Read the sales tax, pre-tax price and total, and compare rates in the table.
Formula and method
Sales tax is a percentage of the pre-tax selling price. To add it, multiply the price by the rate expressed as a decimal (8.25% = 0.0825) and add the result to the price.
To remove tax from a total, you cannot simply subtract 8.25% of the total, because the tax was charged on the smaller pre-tax price. Instead divide the total by (1 + rate) to recover the pre-tax price; the difference is the tax. Retailers round tax to the nearest cent per transaction, so receipts can differ by a cent.
- r
- Combined sales tax rate as a decimal (rate ÷ 100)
- Price
- Pre-tax price × quantity
- Total
- Amount paid including tax
Worked examples
$500 purchase at 8.25%
At 8.25%, tax on a $500 item is $500 × 0.0825 = $41.25, so you pay $541.25 at checkout.
Reverse sales tax on a $108.00 receipt at 8%
Dividing the $108 total by 1.08 gives a pre-tax price of $100, so $8 of the receipt is sales tax — not 8% of $108 ($8.64).
Four $29.99 items at 7.25%
Four items cost $119.96 before tax. At 7.25% the tax is $8.70 (about $2.17 per item), for a total of $128.66.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?+
Multiply the pre-tax price by the sales tax rate as a decimal. For example, $80 at 6% is $80 × 0.06 = $4.80 in tax, for a total of $84.80.
How do I work out the price before tax from a total?+
Divide the total by 1 plus the tax rate. A $53.50 total at 7% tax means $53.50 ÷ 1.07 = $50.00 before tax, and $3.50 of tax.
Which states have no sales tax?+
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax. Some Alaska cities and boroughs still charge a local sales tax.
Why is my receipt different by a cent?+
Stores round tax to the nearest cent, sometimes per item and sometimes on the whole basket, so the tax on a receipt can differ by a cent or two from a straight calculation.
Is sales tax charged on shipping?+
It depends on the state. Many states tax shipping when the item itself is taxable and shipping is part of the sale price; others exempt separately stated delivery charges.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?+
No. US sales tax is charged once at the final sale to the consumer. VAT, used in the UK, EU and most other countries, is collected at each stage of production and is usually already included in shelf prices.
Tax results are estimates based on published rules and simplified assumptions. They are not tax advice — check official guidance or a tax professional for your situation.