Sales Tax Calculator
Add or extract sales tax from any price.
Product price vs tax
Receipt
| 1× $100.00 | $100.00 |
| Subtotal | $100.00 |
| Sales tax (8.25%) | $8.25 |
| Total | $108.25 |
Compare up to three tax rates
| Scenario | Tax | Total | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| A: 8.25% | $8.25 | $108.25 | $3.25 |
| B: 5% Cheapest | $5.00 | $105.00 | $0.00 |
| C: 10% | $10.00 | $110.00 | $5.00 |
Complete guide to sales tax
What sales tax is
A consumption tax charged by state and local governments on retail transactions of tangible goods and some services. Unlike VAT, it is only collected at the final sale.
How sales tax is calculated
Tax = Price × Rate. Total = Price × (1 + Rate). To back out tax from a receipt, divide the total by (1 + Rate).
Add tax vs extract tax
Add tax when a listed price is pre-tax and you need the receipt total. Extract tax when a total already includes tax and you want the pre-tax amount, e.g. for expense reports.
State vs local sales tax
US sales tax combines a state base rate with county, city and district rates. The rates here are state averages — always confirm the exact local rate at the point of sale.
Common mistakes
Using the state rate only, forgetting to charge tax on shipping in tax-collecting states, or applying tax after a discount that should have been applied first.
Sales tax for businesses
Register for a permit in every state where you have nexus, collect the destination-based rate, and remit monthly, quarterly or yearly per the state's schedule.
Online shopping tax
Since South Dakota v. Wayfair (2018), most states require out-of-state sellers above thresholds ($100k or 200 transactions typically) to collect sales tax on online orders.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate 8.25% sales tax on $100?
Multiply: $100 × 0.0825 = $8.25 tax; total $108.25.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the total by (1 + rate). $108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100 pre-tax.
Which US states have no sales tax?
Alaska (no statewide), Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon.
Which state has the highest sales tax?
Combined state + local, Louisiana, Tennessee and Arkansas top ~9.5%.
Is sales tax charged on shipping?
It depends on the state — some tax shipping when the item is taxable, others exempt it if separately stated.
Do I pay sales tax on used items?
Yes for most retail transactions from a seller with a permit; private-party sales are often exempt except for cars and boats.
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
Usually yes — sellers meeting economic nexus thresholds must collect tax on interstate orders.
Are groceries taxed?
Most states exempt basic groceries or apply a reduced rate; prepared food is typically fully taxed.
Is clothing taxed?
Depends on the state — MN, NJ, PA and VT exempt most clothing; MA and NY have thresholds.
Are digital goods taxed?
About half the states tax digital downloads, streaming and SaaS. Verify per state.
What is use tax?
A tax owed by the buyer when a seller did not collect sales tax on a taxable purchase (e.g. from an out-of-state seller).
Can I get a sales tax refund?
In some states, non-residents can claim refunds on eligible export purchases; businesses can offset with resale certificates.
Does the rate depend on where the buyer or seller is?
Most states use destination-based sourcing — buyer's address determines the rate.
What is a resale certificate?
A permit letting a reseller buy inventory tax-free, since sales tax will be collected on the final retail sale.
How often do I remit sales tax?
States assign a schedule (monthly, quarterly, annually) based on your collection volume.