Sales Tax Calculator

Calculate sales tax amount and total price including tax. Works for any tax rate — state, city, or combined.

Price Before Tax ($)

Tax Rate (%)

Tax Amount—

Total Price—

How to Calculate Sales Tax

Tax Amount = Price × (Tax Rate / 100)
Total Price = Price + Tax Amount

Simply multiply the pre-tax price by the tax rate expressed as a decimal to get the tax amount, then add it to the original price.

Example:
Price = $49.99, Tax Rate = 8.25%
Tax Amount = $49.99 × 0.0825 = $4.12
Total Price = $49.99 + $4.12 = $54.11

Finding the Pre-Tax Price

Pre-Tax Price = Total Price / (1 + Tax Rate / 100)

If you know the total paid and the tax rate, divide the total by (1 + rate) to find the original price.

FAQ

How do I find my local sales tax rate?

Sales tax rates vary by state, county, and city. Your combined rate is the sum of state + county + city rates. Check your state's department of revenue website for current rates.

Are all items taxed?

Most states exempt groceries, prescription medications, and sometimes clothing from sales tax. The rules vary widely by jurisdiction.

What's the difference between sales tax and VAT?

Sales tax is applied once at the point of sale to consumers. VAT (Value Added Tax) is applied at each stage of production and distribution. VAT is typically included in the displayed price, while sales tax is added at checkout.

Last updated: 2026-08-08