Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate the sales tax and final total on a purchase.
Sales tax varies significantly by location
Unlike many countries with a national sales tax, the US has no federal sales tax — rates are set at the state level and often layered with additional county and city taxes, meaning the total rate can vary substantially even between neighboring areas.
A few US states charge no state sales tax at all, while combined state-and-local rates elsewhere can exceed 9-10% — always check your specific local rate rather than assuming a national average applies.
A worked example
A $340 purchase at 6.5% sales tax: tax is $340 times 0.065, or $22.10, for a total of $362.10.
Compare that to a location with 9% tax: the same $340 purchase would cost $30.60 in tax, for a total of $370.60 — an $8.50 difference purely from location, illustrating why local tax rates are worth checking for larger purchases.
Why sales tax rates vary so much
Unlike federal income tax, sales tax in the US is set at the state and often local level, which is why rates vary significantly by location — some states charge no sales tax at all, while combined state and local rates elsewhere can exceed 10%.
Certain categories of goods, like groceries or prescription medications, are frequently exempt or taxed at a reduced rate depending on the jurisdiction, so the rate that applies can vary even within the same city depending on what's being purchased.
Frequently asked questions
Does this work for reverse sales tax (finding pre-tax price)?
This calculator goes from pre-tax price to total. If you only know the total, divide it by (1 + tax rate as a decimal) to back out the pre-tax price.
Are all purchases subject to sales tax?
No — many states exempt certain categories like groceries, prescription medications, or clothing (often up to a certain dollar amount) from sales tax, though exemptions vary significantly by state.
Do online purchases include sales tax?
Generally yes — most online retailers are now required to collect sales tax based on the buyer's location, following changes in tax law over the past several years.
Why do some states have no sales tax?
A handful of US states choose to fund government operations primarily through other means like income or property tax, and forgo a general state sales tax entirely.