Enter an amount and a tax rate to get the sales tax and the final total you will pay.
Sales tax is a percentage added to a price at checkout. Multiply the pre-tax amount by the rate divided by 100 to get the tax, then add it back for the total. On a $100 purchase at a 7.5 percent rate, the tax is $7.50 and the total is $107.50. Rates differ by state, city and product.
Total with tax
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What Is Sales Tax?
Sales tax is a percentage added to the price of goods and services at the point of sale. The seller collects it at checkout and passes it to the tax authority, so the total you pay is the price plus the tax.
In the United States there is no single national rate. State, county and city taxes combine into one rate that varies by location and sometimes by the type of product.
How to Calculate Sales Tax
Tax = Amount x (Rate / 100) and Total = Amount + TaxMultiply the pre-tax amount by the rate as a decimal to get the tax, then add it back for the total. On a $100 purchase at 7.5%, the tax is $7.50 and the total is $107.50.
How to Read Your Result
The main figure is the total you will actually pay. The sales tax box shows how much of that total is tax, and the before-tax box confirms the amount you started with, which is handy when you are checking a receipt.
More detail
Finding the Pre-Tax Price From a Total
If you only know the total, divide it by one plus the rate as a decimal. A $107.50 total at 7.5% divided by 1.075 gives the $100 pre-tax price. That is useful for expenses and bookkeeping.
For price reductions rather than additions, the discount calculator works the same idea in reverse.
Rates Vary by Location
Always use the combined rate for the place the sale happens, and remember some items such as groceries may be taxed at a lower rate or exempt. If you are pricing goods for sale, check the effect on your margin, and see how tax affects take-home pay with the salary calculator.
How do I work out the pre-tax price from a total?
Divide the total by one plus the rate as a decimal. For a $107.50 total at 7.5 percent, divide by 1.075 to get the $100 pre-tax price.
What sales tax rate should I use?
Use the combined rate for the location where the sale happens. In the US that is the state rate plus any county and city rates; some items such as groceries may be taxed at a lower rate or exempt.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
They are similar in effect but applied differently. Sales tax is added once at the final sale, while VAT is collected in stages along the supply chain. This tool calculates a single-stage tax.
Do all states charge sales tax?
No. A few US states have no statewide sales tax, though local taxes may still apply in some of them. Always confirm the rate for the exact location.
Is my data saved?
No. Everything is calculated in your browser and nothing you enter is stored.
Sources
- State and local sales tax rates (Tax Foundation).
- How taxes work (USA.gov, U.S. government).
- Managing small-business finances (U.S. Small Business Administration).
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This calculator is for general information and planning only and is not financial, tax, accounting or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter. Confirm important decisions with a qualified professional. Spotted an error? Let us know.
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