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Sales Tax Calculator

Add tax to a price, or extract it from a tax-included total.

🔒 Runs entirely in your browser — nothing here is ever uploaded

Last reviewed 2026-08-30

About the Sales Tax Calculator

Adds sales tax to a pre-tax price, or backs the pre-tax price and tax amount out of a tax-included total (like a receipt), with quick-select US state average combined sales tax rates as a starting point.

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How to use it
  1. Choose whether you have a pre-tax price (add tax) or a tax-included total like a receipt (back out the tax).
  2. Enter the price and the sales tax rate — or quick-select a state average to start from.
  3. Read the total, tax amount, and pre-tax price.
Formula
Add mode: tax amount = price × (rate ÷ 100); total = price + tax amount. Extract mode: pre-tax price = total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100); tax amount = total − pre-tax price.
Worked example

An $85 pre-tax price at Tennessee's 9.61% average combined rate: $8.17 tax, for a total of $93.17. In reverse with a $93.17 tax-included total at the same rate: pre-tax price of $85.00 and tax of $8.17.

Sales tax by state (selected examples, avg. combined rate, July 2026)
Sales tax by state (selected examples, avg. combined rate, July 2026)
StateAvg. combined rate
Oregon / Montana / Delaware / New Hampshire0% (no state sales tax)
Alaska1.82% (no state rate; local only)
California9.03%
Tennessee9.61%
Louisiana10.13% (highest in US)
Interpreting your result

State rates shown are averages (Tax Foundation, as of July 1, 2026), not exact ZIP-code figures — county, city, and special-district taxes stack on top, and many states exempt or partially tax categories like groceries or clothing. Confirm your local rate before relying on this for a real transaction.

Recommendations
  • When backing tax out of a receipt total, divide the total by (1 + rate), don't subtract the rate percentage directly.
  • State quick-picks are averages only — always check your exact city/county rate for a real purchase.
  • Some states exempt or partially tax specific categories (groceries, clothing, prescription drugs).
Frequently asked questions
Because the tax rate applies to the pre-tax price, not the total — dividing by (1 + rate) correctly reverses the calculation.
See the full methodology and sources for every finance calculator
Disclaimer

Illustrative estimate only, not financial or tax advice. Verify figures with a licensed adviser or your local tax authority.