Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax amount and total price, or reverse calculate pre-tax price from total, with support for state and local tax rates
Sales Tax Calculation
Price Breakdown
Multiple Quantity Calculator
| Quantity | Subtotal | Sales Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $100.00 | $7.00 | $107.00 |
| 2 | $200.00 | $14.00 | $214.00 |
| 5 | $500.00 | $35.00 | $535.00 |
| 10 | $1000.00 | $70.00 | $1070.00 |
| 25 | $2500.00 | $175.00 | $2675.00 |
| 50 | $5000.00 | $350.00 | $5350.00 |
| 100 | $10000.00 | $700.00 | $10700.00 |
Common State Sales Tax Rates (2024)
* Rates shown are state-level only. Local taxes may apply, bringing combined rates higher. Always check your specific location.
About This Tool
A sales tax calculator helps you determine the tax amount and total cost of purchases, or work backward from a total price to find the pre-tax amount. Sales tax rates vary widely by state and locality in the U.S., ranging from 0% to over 10% combined. Understanding sales tax is essential for budgeting, pricing products, and managing business finances.
How Sales Tax Works in the U.S.
Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on retail sales. 45 states plus D.C. have state-level sales tax, while Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no state sales tax (though Alaska allows local sales taxes). State rates range from 2.9% (Colorado) to 7.25% (California). Many jurisdictions add local taxes (city, county, special district), making combined rates as high as 10-11% in some areas. For example, Louisiana has a 4.45% state rate, but combined state and local rates in some parishes exceed 11%.
Tax-Exempt Purchases
Not all purchases are taxed. Common exemptions include most groceries (though varies by state), prescription medications, certain medical devices and services, educational materials and services, some clothing (in states like Pennsylvania under $110), and purchases made with resale certificates (for businesses buying inventory). Some states have "tax holidays" on specific items like back-to-school supplies or hurricane preparedness items during certain periods. If you're a business, maintaining proper exemption certificates is crucial for avoiding tax on wholesale purchases.
Online Sales and Use Tax
Following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, online retailers must collect sales tax in states where they have "economic nexus" (typically $100,000+ in sales or 200+ transactions). If you buy from an out-of-state retailer that doesn't collect sales tax, you technically owe "use tax" at your state's rate - though enforcement is difficult and compliance is low. Many states now have use tax lines on income tax returns. For businesses, navigating multi-state sales tax compliance is complex, often requiring specialized software or services.
Business Applications and Pricing Strategy
For businesses, understanding sales tax is critical for pricing decisions. Should you advertise tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive prices? Most U.S. retailers show pre-tax prices (unlike Europe where tax is included), but some service businesses include tax in quoted prices for simplicity. When setting prices, consider your market - high-sales-tax areas may make your products seem more expensive versus low-tax competitors. Also factor in that you're a tax collector for the government: collect sales tax from customers, hold it in trust, and remit quarterly or monthly. Failing to properly collect, report, and remit sales tax can result in serious penalties, interest, and even personal liability for business owners.