Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price, or work out the pre-tax amount from a tax-inclusive total — at any state-and-local rate.
Add Sales Tax
Adding 7% sales tax to $100.00 gives $107.00 — that's $7.00 of sales tax on top of the net amount.
Results update as you type.
Formula
Adding sales tax is a single multiplication:
gross = net × (1 + rate / 100).
The sales-tax amount itself is
vat = net × rate / 100. Switching to the
Remove tab works backwards from a tax-inclusive total:
net = gross / (1 + rate / 100).
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Frequently asked questions
What sales-tax rate should I use?▾
US sales tax is set at the state and local level — five states have no statewide sales tax (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon), while combined state-and-local rates run roughly 5%–10% elsewhere. California's combined averages around 8.85%; New York City around 8.875%; Texas around 8.25%. Look up your specific city or county for the exact rate.
What's the difference between sales tax and VAT?▾
Both are consumption taxes, but VAT is collected at every stage of production with businesses reclaiming what they've paid; sales tax is collected once, at the final sale to the consumer. The mathematical operation of 'add a percentage' is identical, which is why this calculator handles both.
Are origin-based and destination-based sourcing the same as the rate?▾
Sourcing rules determine *which* rate applies — origin-based states tax based on where the seller is located, destination-based on where the buyer is. Either way, you still apply one rate at the calculator. Sourcing matters for sellers deciding which rate to charge, not for the maths once the rate is known.
Are any items exempt from sales tax?▾
Common exemptions vary by state — many exempt unprepared groceries, prescription drugs, and clothing under a price threshold; some have annual sales-tax holidays for specific categories. If an item is fully exempt, the rate is effectively 0%; for partial exemptions, apply the rate only to the taxable portion.
How do I find the tax on a tax-inclusive price?▾
Use the Remove Sales Tax tab. Enter the gross (tax-inclusive) amount and the rate. The calculator shows the pre-tax price and the tax portion separately.