Free Sales Tax Calculator

How to use the sales tax calculator

1. Choose Add tax to go from a sticker price to the register total, or Extract tax to work backward from a total you already paid.
2. Enter the price and pick your tax rate — tap a preset or type a custom one.
3. The breakdown updates live as you type.

Sales tax basics

US sales tax is set at the state level and often topped up by counties and cities, which is why the rate changes when you cross a county line — the combined rate is what matters, and the presets above cover the most common ones, including New York City's 8.875%. Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon) have no statewide sales tax at all, though local jurisdictions in Alaska can still add their own. When you extract tax from a total, the math divides by one plus the rate rather than simply subtracting the percentage — a common mistake that overstates the tax. Note that taxability varies: groceries, clothing, and digital goods are taxed differently from state to state, and some places exempt essentials entirely. If you run a business, keep in mind that the rate you charge depends on where the buyer is (destination sourcing) in most states, not where you are — when in doubt, check your state's revenue department guidance rather than guessing.

Frequently asked questions