Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price, back it out of a tax-included total, or find the rate from a receipt. Use your own rate or any US state’s 2026 state and average local rate, with discounts, shipping and a 50-state comparison.
How it works
Add tax: Total = price × (1 + rate) · Remove tax: Price before tax = total ÷ (1 + rate) · Find the rate: rate = (total − price) ÷ price × 100 · Combined rate = state rate + local rate
Sales tax is a percentage of the taxable price. To add it, multiply the price by the rate and add the result; in the US the rate you pay is the state rate plus any county, city and special-district rates, so the calculator can add your own local rate or use the state’s population-weighted average local rate from the Tax Foundation’s July 2026 table. To take tax out of a total that already includes it, divide the total by (1 + rate): the tax was charged on the smaller pre-tax price, so subtracting the rate from the total removes too much. To find the rate from a receipt, divide the tax charged by the pre-tax price, and the calculator also checks that against the rate you expected, which flags an overcharge. Store discounts come off before tax. Whether shipping is taxed varies by state, so it is a switch. Tax is rounded to the nearest cent. The same arithmetic works for VAT and GST.
Worked example
A $100 item at 7.25% comes to 100 × 1.0725 = $107.25, with $7.25 of tax. In Tennessee, using the 7% state rate plus the 2.61% average local rate, the combined 9.61% makes the same item $109.61. To back tax out of a $107.25 receipt at 7.25%, divide: 107.25 ÷ 1.0725 = $100.00 before tax. If a receipt shows $53.00 paid on a $49.00 price, the tax was $4.00, a rate of 4 ÷ 49 = 8.163%; at an expected 7.25% the tax should have been $3.55, so you were overcharged by $0.45.
Sources: Tax Foundation — State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026
Frequently asked questions
Which states have the highest and lowest sales tax?
Using state plus average local rates as of July 1, 2026 (Tax Foundation), the highest combined rates are Louisiana (10.13%), Tennessee (9.61%), Washington (9.57%), Arkansas (9.48%) and Alabama (9.46%). Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax, though local governments in Alaska may charge one. California has the highest state-level rate at 7.25%.
Why can’t I just subtract the tax rate from the total?
Because the tax was calculated on the smaller pre-tax price, not on the total. Taking 7.25% off $107.25 gives $99.47, which is wrong. Dividing by 1.0725 gives the correct $100.00. Use the Remove tax mode.
How do I find the sales tax rate from a receipt?
Choose Find the rate, enter the price before tax and the total you paid. The tax is the difference, and the rate is that difference divided by the pre-tax price. The calculator also compares it with the rate you expected and shows any overcharge.
Is the average local rate my exact rate?
Not always. Local rates change by county, city and special district, sometimes from one street to the next. The average is a good estimate when you don’t know your exact rate. For an exact figure, use your state revenue department’s address lookup, then choose State + my local and enter it.
Is sales tax charged on shipping and on discounted prices?
Store discounts and coupons from the retailer reduce the taxable price, so tax is charged on the discounted amount. Shipping depends on the state: some tax it when the item is taxable, others don’t when it is listed separately. Use the Shipping is taxable switch to match your state.
Does this work for VAT or GST?
Yes. Pick My rate and enter the VAT or GST rate. The math is the same; only the name changes. Most VAT countries show prices with tax included, so Remove tax tells you the net price.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.