Sales Tax Calculator
Add or remove sales tax from any amount. Includes US state rate presets for all 50 states and DC.
Sales tax
Total with tax
$108.50
Subtotal
$100.00
Tax
$8.50
Total
$108.50
Frequently Asked Questions about the Sales Tax Calculator
How is sales tax calculated?
Sales tax = subtotal x rate. The final price is subtotal + tax. To go backwards from a total: subtotal = total / (1 + rate).
Which US states have no sales tax?
Five states: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska allows local sales taxes; the others have none at the state level.
Why does sales tax vary by city within a state?
Many states allow counties, cities, or special districts to add their own sales taxes on top of the state rate. The state preset in this calculator is the combined average for that state.
Do I owe sales tax on online purchases?
Yes, in most states. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, online retailers must collect sales tax for states where they meet certain thresholds.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
Conceptually similar (both are consumption taxes) but mechanically different. VAT (used in most countries) is collected at every stage of production. US sales tax is collected only at the final sale to the consumer.
What is the average US sales tax?
Combined state and local rates average about 7.5% nationally. Highest: Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas around 9.5%. Lowest among states with sales tax: Hawaii at 4.5%.