Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate the final price with tax. Discover hidden local rates and plan for big purchases.
Purchase Details
Total Price
Cost Breakdown
Sales Tax is a consumption tax imposed by the government on the sale of goods and services. The tricky part is that it's often a "Layer Cake" of taxes: State + County + City + Special District.
Did you know? Five US states have 0% statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. (Though Alaska allows local municipalities to charge tax).
Smart Shopping Strategies
For small purchases (coffee), tax doesn't matter much. For big purchases (Cars, Jewelry, Electronics), high sales tax can cost you hundreds of dollars.
The "Tax Holiday" Hack
Many states have a weekend where specific items are Tax-Free.
The "Border" Strategy
Living near a state line? Buying a TV in Oregon (0% tax) instead of Washington (~10% tax) is an instant 10% discount.
*Legal caveats apply for vehicle registration.
Beyond the Register
Income Tax Deductions?
If you itemize your federal tax return, you can choose to deduct either State Income Tax OR State Sales Tax. If you live in a no-income-tax state (like TX or FL), deducting Sales Tax usually saves you more money.
Reverse Sales Tax
Have a budget of exactly $100? Use our tool to calculate how much the item's sticker price can be ($100 / 1.08 = $92.59).
The Math: Calculating Total Price
Sales tax is a percentage add-on. We simply multiply the price by the rate percentage.
Reverse Calculation (How much was the tax?):
- Find Tax Amount: Pre-Tax Price × Tax Rate
- Find Pre-Tax Price: Total Price / (1 + Tax Rate)
State Tax Comparison ($1,000 Purchase)
How much a $1,000 laptop actually costs in different states (Avg Combined Rates 2024).
| State | Avg Tax Rate | Tax Amount | Final Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon / Delaware | 0.00% | $0.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Virginia | ~5.75% | $57.50 | $1,057.50 |
| Louisiana / Tennessee | ~9.55% | $95.50 | $1,095.50 |
*Rates are averages including local taxes. City rates vary significantly.
Related Tools
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
Usually, yes. Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling (South Dakota v. Wayfair), most states require online retailers to collect sales tax based on where the item is DELIVERED, not where the seller is located.
What is a Sales Tax Holiday?
Many states offer a weekend (usually in August for Back-to-School) where specific items like clothing, computers, or school supplies are tax-free. This can save you 6-10% instantly.
Is Sales Tax the same everywhere in the state?
Rarely. Most places have a State Tax (e.g., 6%) PLUS a County Tax (e.g., 1%) PLUS a City Tax (e.g., 1.5%). This is why the rate can change just by crossing the street.
Does food have sales tax?
It depends. Unprepared grocery food (milk, eggs) is often exempt from sales tax. Prepared food (restaurants, hot deli items) is almost always taxed.
What is 'Use Tax'?
If you buy something tax-free (like from a foreign website) but use it in your state, you technically owe 'Use Tax' equivalent to the sales tax. This is rarely enforced for small items but matters for business equipment.
Tax Terms
VAT
Value Added Tax. Common in Europe. The tax is included in the sticker price, unlike in the US where it's added at the register.
Excise Tax
Specific taxes on certain goods like Gasoline, Tobacco, and Alcohol. These are usually included in the price.
Exempt Goods
Items not subject to sales tax. Common examples: Prescription drugs, groceries (in some states), and raw manufacturing materials.
Nexus
The connection a business has to a state (e.g., a warehouse or employee) that requires them to collect sales tax there.
About This Calculator
This Sales Tax Calculator performs simple percentage-based calculations. It does not look up real-time tax rates by zipcode (as there are over 10,000 tax jurisdictions in the US). You must input the tax rate for your specific location.