Add sales tax
Use the combined state and local rate for the place where the sale is taxed.
Total = price x (1 + rate / 100)
Sales Tax Calculator in the United States
Online calculator to estimate U.S. sales tax, add tax to a price or remove tax from a tax-included total.
%
After tax
Total after tax:
$0.00
- Price before tax:
- $0.00
- Sales tax8.25%
- $0.00
- Total after tax:
- $0.00
Sales tax formulas and examples
Use the calculator with your state, county, city or special district sales tax rate. The United States does not have a federal VAT.
Add tax
Total = tax-free price x (1 + rate / 100)
Remove tax
Tax-free price = tax-included total / (1 + rate / 100)
Tax amount
Tax = tax-free price x rate / 100
Quick example
Starting from $100, a 8.25% rate gives $8.25 in tax and $108.25 total.
Starting from $108.25, the tax-free amount is $100 and the tax is $8.25.
Tax guidance
Common sales tax calculations
Use the calculator for the common U.S. sales tax workflows: add tax, remove tax and verify the tax amount with the rate from your jurisdiction.
Remove sales tax
Use this when the listed total already includes tax and you need the pre-tax amount.
Pre-tax price = total / (1 + rate / 100)
State and local rates
Rates and exemptions vary by jurisdiction, so the exact rate should come from an official tax agency.
Tax = price x rate / 100
Official rate check
U.S. sales tax is based on state and local rules. Rates and exemptions vary, so use this calculator with the rate published by the relevant tax agency.
Sales tax FAQ
Is sales tax the same as VAT in the United States?
No. The United States does not use a federal VAT. Sales tax is generally set by state and local governments.
How do I calculate U.S. sales tax?
Enter the pre-tax price and your combined state, county, city or district rate. The calculator multiplies the amount by the rate and adds it to the total.
Where should I verify the exact sales tax rate?
Check your official state or local tax agency because rates, exemptions and filing rules vary by jurisdiction.
United States sales tax has no nationwide standard rate
The United States has no federal VAT or nationwide retail sales-tax rate. General sales taxes are imposed by states and local jurisdictions, and some states have no statewide general sales tax. Taxability and the combined percentage can therefore vary by state, county, city, district, product and transaction date.
There is also no nationwide reduced rate. A state may exempt an item or tax categories such as food, clothing or medicines differently. The rate must come from the competent state or local authority for the transaction.
U.S. dollar example and why the location matters
If the applicable combined rate is 8.25%, a $100 pre-tax price produces $8.25 tax and a $108.25 total. The 8.25% preselection on this page is an arithmetic example, not an official U.S. rate.
For comparison, California's base statewide rate is 7.25% from 1 January 2017, before any additional district tax. Federal excise taxes can separately apply to products such as fuel, tobacco and alcohol. This calculator only applies the percentage selected; it does not look up an address, source a sale, classify an item, combine jurisdictions, calculate use tax or add excise. The result is orientative, not personalised tax advice.