Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax and total price, or find the pre-tax price from a total that includes tax.
Results
US State Tax Rates (Base)
Note: Local taxes may increase total rate
How Sales Tax Works
Sales tax is a consumption tax charged on retail goods and services at the point of sale. The rate varies by location - combining state, county, and city taxes. In the US, sales tax ranges from 0% (states like Oregon) to over 10% in some areas.
Add Tax: Total = Price × (1 + Rate/100)
Remove Tax: Original = Total / (1 + Rate/100)
Tax-Free States
Five US states have no state sales tax:
Note: Alaska allows local sales taxes
Sales Tax vs VAT
Sales Tax (US)
- • Charged only at final sale
- • Added to displayed price
- • Varies by state/city
VAT (Europe)
- • Charged at each production stage
- • Usually included in price
- • National standard rate
US Sales Tax Rates by State (2026)
State sales tax rates range from 0% to 7.25%. Most states also allow counties and cities to add local taxes, so the total rate at checkout is often higher than the state base rate shown below.
| State | State Rate | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4.0% | Local taxes up to ~10% |
| Alaska | 0% | No state tax; local up to 9.5% |
| Arizona | 5.6% | |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | |
| California | 7.25% | Highest state rate in US |
| Colorado | 2.9% | Lowest state rate (non-zero) |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | |
| Delaware | 0% | No sales tax |
| Florida | 6.0% | |
| Georgia | 4.0% | |
| Hawaii | 4.0% | General Excise Tax (GET) |
| Idaho | 6.0% | |
| Illinois | 6.25% | Groceries taxed at 1% |
| Indiana | 7.0% | No local taxes |
| Iowa | 6.0% | |
| Kansas | 6.5% | |
| Kentucky | 6.0% | No local taxes |
| Louisiana | 4.45% | |
| Maine | 5.5% | No local taxes |
| Maryland | 6.0% | |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | Clothing under $175 exempt |
| Michigan | 6.0% | No local taxes |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | |
| Mississippi | 7.0% | |
| Missouri | 4.225% | |
| Montana | 0% | No sales tax |
| Nebraska | 5.5% | |
| Nevada | 6.85% | |
| New Hampshire | 0% | No sales tax |
| New Jersey | 6.625% | |
| New Mexico | 5.0% | |
| New York | 4.0% | NYC combined rate: 8.875% |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | |
| North Dakota | 5.0% | |
| Ohio | 5.75% | |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% | |
| Oregon | 0% | No sales tax |
| Pennsylvania | 6.0% | Groceries & clothing exempt |
| Rhode Island | 7.0% | No local taxes |
| South Carolina | 6.0% | |
| South Dakota | 4.5% | |
| Tennessee | 7.0% | Groceries taxed at 4% |
| Texas | 6.25% | Local up to 8.25% combined |
| Utah | 4.85% | |
| Vermont | 6.0% | |
| Virginia | 5.3% | Groceries taxed at 1% |
| Washington | 6.5% | |
| West Virginia | 6.0% | |
| Wisconsin | 5.0% | |
| Wyoming | 4.0% | |
| District of Columbia | 6.0% |
Base state rates as of 2026. Combined rates including county and city taxes can be significantly higher. Click a state rate button above the calculator to use it instantly.
Sales Tax Calculation: Step-by-Step Examples
Example 1: Adding Tax to a Price
You buy a $79.99 item in Texas. Combined sales tax rate is 8.25%.
Tax = $79.99 × 0.0825 = $6.60
Total = $79.99 + $6.60 = $86.59
Example 2: Reverse — Finding Pre-Tax Price
You paid $54.00 total. The tax rate was 8%. What was the pre-tax price?
Pre-tax = $54.00 / (1 + 0.08) = $54.00 / 1.08 = $50.00
Tax amount = $54.00 − $50.00 = $4.00
Example 3: Multiple Items
3 items: $12.50, $34.99, $7.25. Sales tax rate: 6.5%.
Subtotal = $12.50 + $34.99 + $7.25 = $54.74
Tax = $54.74 × 0.065 = $3.56
Total = $54.74 + $3.56 = $58.30
What Is (and Isn't) Taxable?
Sales tax exemptions vary by state, but most states follow similar patterns for what is and isn't taxable at the standard rate.
Usually Taxable
- • Electronics and appliances
- • Clothing (most states)
- • Furniture and home goods
- • Restaurant meals
- • Alcohol and tobacco
- • Cars and vehicles
- • Prepared food
Often Exempt or Reduced
- • Groceries (many states exempt)
- • Prescription medications
- • Medical equipment
- • Agricultural supplies
- • Clothing under $175 (MA, NY)
- • Digital services (varies widely)
- • Resale goods (with certificate)
Exemptions change frequently. Always verify with your state's Department of Revenue for current rules.