Sales Tax Calculator
Add or remove sales tax in one step. Pick your state to auto-fill the 2026 combined rate, switch to reverse mode to find the price before tax from a total, and see how the tax splits between state and local — no rate lookup, no limits.
$100.00 total
Before tax: $100.00 · Sales tax: $0.00 (0%)
State & average combined rates: Tax Foundation 2026. Local rates vary by city/county — adjust the rate for an exact figure. How we calculate →
How to calculate sales tax
Sales tax is a percentage added to the price of an item. To find it, multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal: tax = price × (rate ÷ 100), then add it back for the total. For example, a $100 item at an 8% rate has $8 of tax and a $108 total. The calculator above does this instantly — pick your state and it fills in the rate for you, no lookup needed.
The rate that applies is the combined rate where the sale happens: the state base rate plus any county, city and special-district taxes. That's why the total you pay at the register is often higher than the state rate alone.
Sales tax rates by state (2026)
State base rates range from 0% to 7.25% (California has the highest state rate). On top of that, most states allow local sales taxes, so the average combined rate can be very different from the state rate — Louisiana and Tennessee top the combined list near 10%. Select your state above to auto-fill the 2026 average combined rate from Tax Foundation data; you can fine-tune it for your exact city or county.
Because local rates vary within a state, the auto-filled figure is the population-weighted average for the state. For an exact amount at a specific address, adjust the rate to your local combined rate.
Reverse sales tax: find the price before tax
Sometimes you have the total and need to work backwards — to find the pre-tax price, or how much tax was included on a receipt. Switch the mode above to Remove tax: the calculator divides the total by one plus the rate. The formula is price = total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100), and the tax is whatever's left. A $108 total at 8% works back to a $100 item and $8 of tax.
This 'de-tax' mode is missing from most lookup tools, which only go price → total. It's handy for expense reports, bookkeeping and checking a receipt.
State vs local: where your tax goes
Your combined rate is split between the state and your local governments. When you pick a state above, the calculator shows how much of the tax is the state portion versus the local portion (county, city and special districts), using the state base rate. It's a breakdown no other free calculator shows, and it explains why two towns in the same state can charge different totals.
What's taxable — and what isn't
Sales tax usually applies to tangible goods, but the rules vary widely. Many states exempt or reduce tax on groceries and prescription drugs, while services, digital goods and prepared food are taxed differently from state to state. Big-ticket items like cars are often taxed at the general rate but registered and collected separately by the DMV — and trade-ins can lower the taxable amount in most states.
This calculator applies a single rate to the amount you enter, which covers the common case. For category-specific rules (groceries, vehicles, clothing), check your state's department of revenue.
The five states with no sales tax
Five states charge no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon (easy to remember as 'NOMAD'). Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no sales tax at all, while Alaska has no state tax but allows local sales taxes, so some Alaskan cities still charge a few percent. Select one of these states above and the rate is zero (or the local average for Alaska).
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal: a $50 item at 7% is 50 × 0.07 = $3.50 tax, for a $53.50 total. Use the combined state + local rate for where the sale happens. Pick your state above and the calculator fills in the 2026 rate and does the math instantly.
How do I calculate sales tax backwards from the total?
Divide the total by one plus the rate. For a $107 total at 7%, the pre-tax price is 107 ÷ 1.07 = $100, so the tax was $7. Switch the calculator above to 'Remove tax' mode to do this automatically — useful for receipts and expense reports.
What is the combined sales tax rate?
It's the state base rate plus any county, city and special-district taxes that apply where you buy. The combined rate is what you actually pay at the register, and it can be one to several points higher than the state rate alone. The calculator auto-fills the 2026 average combined rate by state.
Which states have no sales tax?
Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. Of these, Alaska still allows local sales taxes, so some cities charge a small rate; the other four have none at all.
Why is my total higher than the state tax rate?
Because local taxes stack on top of the state rate. Counties, cities and special districts add their own sales tax, so your combined rate — and your total — is higher than the state base rate. Select your state above to see the state-vs-local split.
How much is sales tax on a car?
Vehicles are usually taxed at your state's general sales tax rate, but it's collected by the DMV at registration rather than the dealer, and in most states a trade-in reduces the taxable amount. Enter the taxable price and your rate above for an estimate; for the exact car tax and trade-in rules, see our auto loan calculator.
Is sales tax the same in every city in a state?
No. The state sets a base rate, but counties and cities add their own, so the combined rate varies from town to town within the same state. The auto-filled rate above is the state's average; adjust it to your local combined rate for an exact figure.
How do I find the tax included in a price?
Use reverse mode: tax = total − total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100). On a $215 total at 7.5%, the pre-tax price is $200 and the included tax is $15. The calculator's 'Remove tax' mode shows both instantly.
Sales tax calculator by state (2026 rates)
Get the 2026 combined rate and an instant calculation for your state:
Researched & verified by the Calcuris Data & Research Team. How we build and check our tools →