Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price, or work backward to find the pre-tax price and tax amount hidden in a total.
The sales tax formulas
Removing tax: Price = Total ÷ (1 + rate)
A $50 item at 8% tax: 50 × 0.08 = $4 tax → $54 total.
Reverse: a $54 total at 8% → 54 ÷ 1.08 = $50 pre-tax, so $4 was tax.
A California receipt shows a pre-tax price of $125.00 and a total of $134.06, but doesn't print the rate. Tax charged = 134.06 − 125.00 = $9.06.
Rate = 9.06 ÷ 125.00 = 0.07248 = 7.25% — California's statewide base rate, with no city or county add-on applied at this particular register.
Common sales tax mistakes
- Assuming every item in the cart is taxed at the same rate. Groceries and prescription drugs are commonly exempt or taxed at a reduced rate, so the effective rate on a mixed receipt can be lower than the posted local rate.
- Multiplying the total by the rate instead of dividing when reversing a total. To pull tax out of a total, divide by (1 + rate) — multiplying the total by the rate directly overstates the tax, as shown in the worked example above.
- Forgetting that online purchases are still taxed based on the buyer's location. Since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling (South Dakota v. Wayfair), most states require out-of-state sellers to collect tax based on the shipping address, not the seller's location.
- Assuming no tax was charged means no tax is owed. If a seller doesn't collect sales tax, many states still require the buyer to self-report and pay an equivalent "use tax" on the purchase — the obligation doesn't disappear just because it wasn't collected at checkout.
Common combined sales tax rates
| State | Typical combined rate |
|---|---|
| California | 7.25%–10.75% |
| Texas | 6.25%–8.25% |
| New York | 4%–8.875% |
| Florida | 6%–7.5% |
| Oregon, Delaware, Montana, NH | 0% |
Rates combine a statewide base with county and city add-ons, so the same state can vary by several points depending on the address. For international value-added tax, use the VAT calculator; for percentage-off deals, the discount calculator; and to split a taxed restaurant bill, the tip calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Price × rate. $50 × 8% = $4 tax, $54 total.
How do I find the pre-tax price from a total?
Total ÷ (1 + rate). $54 ÷ 1.08 = $50.
Which states have no sales tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon (Alaska allows local taxes).
Do all items get taxed at the same rate?
No — groceries, prescription drugs, and sometimes clothing are often exempt or reduced, while general merchandise is taxed at the full local rate.
Is sales tax charged on shipping and services?
It varies by state — some tax shipping whenever the item is taxable, others don't, and more states now tax specific services like digital downloads.
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Note: Rates vary by locality and item type; verify your exact local rate. Not tax advice. Last reviewed: September 2026.