How to use this sales tax calculator
- Pick what you want to do. “Add tax” turns a sticker price into a total, “Remove tax” splits a tax-inclusive total into price and tax, and “Find the rate” works out the rate from two amounts on a receipt.
- Enter the amount before tax, after tax, or both.
- Choose your state to use its 2026 state rate plus its average local rate, or pick “Custom rate” and type the exact combined rate for your city or county.
- Check the breakdown. The results split the tax into state and average local portions and compare the same purchase with neighboring states. Open “Rate options” to use the state rate alone.
Sales tax formulas
Sales tax is a percentage of the pre-tax price. Everything else follows from that one fact:
T = P × r; A = P + T = P × (1 + r)
- P
- price before tax
- r
- combined sales tax rate as a decimal (8.25% = 0.0825)
- T
- sales tax
- A
- total after tax
P = A ÷ (1 + r); T = A − P
r = (A − P) ÷ P
Worked examples
- Add: $100.00 at California’s 9.03% combined rate: T = $100.00 × 0.0903 = $9.03, so A = $109.03. Of that tax, $7.25 is the 7.25% state tax and $1.78 is the average local tax.
- Remove: a $1,000.00 total at 9.03%: P = $1,000.00 ÷ 1.0903 = $917.18, and T = $82.82.
- Find the rate: a receipt shows $80.00 before tax and $86.56 after: r = ($86.56 − $80.00) ÷ $80.00 = 8.2% (rounding the tax to the cent can move the result by a few thousandths of a percent).
Common sales tax mistakes
- Subtracting the rate from a total. Taking 9.03% off a $1,000.00 total gives $909.70, but the real pre-tax price is $917.18 — you would understate it by $7.48. The tax was charged on the pre-tax price, so you have to divide by 1.0903, not multiply by 0.9097.
- Using only the state rate. In 36 of the 46 jurisdictions with a statewide sales tax, cities, counties or districts add their own rate on top. Use the combined rate for the place of sale.
- Assuming every item is taxed the same. Groceries, clothing, prescription drugs and many services are exempt or taxed at a different rate in many states; see your state’s page below for its grocery rules.
- Forgetting use tax. If a seller doesn’t collect your state’s tax (for example, on some out-of-state or online purchases), you generally owe the equivalent use tax yourself.
Sales tax on common prices
Sales tax at common combined rates, rounded to the cent. Find your rate in the state table below.
| Price | 5% | 6% | 7% | 8% | 9% | 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.50 | $0.60 | $0.70 | $0.80 | $0.90 | $1.00 |
| $25 | $1.25 | $1.50 | $1.75 | $2.00 | $2.25 | $2.50 |
| $50 | $2.50 | $3.00 | $3.50 | $4.00 | $4.50 | $5.00 |
| $100 | $5.00 | $6.00 | $7.00 | $8.00 | $9.00 | $10.00 |
| $250 | $12.50 | $15.00 | $17.50 | $20.00 | $22.50 | $25.00 |
| $500 | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 | $40.00 | $45.00 | $50.00 |
| $1,000 | $50.00 | $60.00 | $70.00 | $80.00 | $90.00 | $100.00 |
| $5,000 | $250.00 | $300.00 | $350.00 | $400.00 | $450.00 | $500.00 |
| $25,000 | $1,250.00 | $1,500.00 | $1,750.00 | $2,000.00 | $2,250.00 | $2,500.00 |
How sales tax works in the US
There is no federal sales tax. Sales taxes are set by states and, in most states, also by local governments. As of July 1, 2026, 45 states and the District of Columbia levy a statewide sales tax, with state rates from 2.9% in Colorado to 7.25% in California. Counties, cities and special districts (transit, for example) can add their own rates; 10 of the 46 jurisdictions with a statewide tax have no general local sales taxes.
The average local rates used here come from the Tax Foundation, which weights each local rate by population to show what a typical resident pays. A state’s average can hide a wide range: the notes on each state page show where local rates reach.
Where a sale is taxed: destination vs. origin
Most states tax a sale at the buyer’s location — where the item is delivered or picked up (destination sourcing). A minority of states apply the seller’s local rate to some in-state sales (origin sourcing): Texas, for example, generally bases local sales tax on the seller’s place of business, with local use tax where an item is shipped to a higher-tax area. Rules for shipped orders vary, so a business should check its state revenue department’s guidance.
Online purchases and use tax
In South Dakota v. Wayfair (June 21, 2018) the Supreme Court ended the rule that a seller needed a physical presence in a state before the state could require it to collect sales tax, so most large online retailers and marketplaces now collect tax on shipments. When a seller doesn’t collect, the buyer generally owes use tax at the same rate — the Texas Comptroller, for example, lists online purchases from out-of-state retailers and items bought in other states as common cases.
States with no sales tax
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax.
- Alaska: No statewide sales tax, but boroughs and cities may levy local sales taxes (up to 7.85% per Tax Foundation). The average local rate is population-weighted. Average local rate: 1.82%.
- Delaware: No state or local sales tax (Delaware levies a gross receipts tax on businesses instead).
- Montana: No general state or local sales tax; certain resort communities levy local resort taxes, which Tax Foundation excludes.
- New Hampshire: No general sales tax; New Hampshire levies an 8.5% meals and rooms (rentals) tax.
- Oregon: No state or local general sales tax.
Highest and lowest sales tax states
The highest combined rates belong to Louisiana (10.13%), Tennessee (9.61%), Washington (9.57%), Arkansas (9.48%), Alabama (9.46%). Among states that do charge sales tax, the lowest combined rates are in Alaska (1.82%), Hawaii (4.5%), Wyoming (5.39%), Maine (5.5%), Wisconsin (5.72%). The middle of all 51 jurisdictions is 7%.
Can you deduct sales tax on your federal return?
Yes, but only if you itemize deductions on Schedule A instead of taking the standard deduction ($16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly in 2026). You must choose between deducting state and local income taxes or general sales taxes — not both. Sales tax is often the bigger number for people in states without a broad income tax, or in a year with a large purchase such as a car or boat.
- You can add up actual sales tax from receipts, or use the IRS optional sales tax tables (or its Sales Tax Deduction Calculator at IRS.gov/SalesTax) and add the sales tax on major purchases like a vehicle.
- The combined deduction for state and local taxes — income or sales tax plus property taxes — is capped at $40,400 for 2026 ($20,200 if married filing separately). The cap shrinks by 30% of the amount by which modified AGI exceeds $505,000 ($252,500 if married filing separately), but not below $10,000 ($5,000).
See what itemizing is worth with our income tax calculator. If you’re budgeting for a car, the auto loan calculator includes sales tax in the loan amount.
2026 sales tax rates by state
State rates and population-weighted average local rates as of July 1, 2026 (Tax Foundation). Rank 1 is the highest combined rate. Choose a state for its own calculator, examples and neighboring-state comparison.
| State | State rate | Avg. local rate | Combined rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4% | 5.46% | 9.46% | 5 |
| Alaska | 0% | 1.82% | 1.82% | 46 |
| Arizona | 5.6% | 2.94% | 8.54% | 11 |
| Arkansas | 6.5% | 2.98% | 9.48% | 4 |
| California | 7.25% | 1.78% | 9.03% | 7 |
| Colorado | 2.9% | 4.99% | 7.89% | 16 |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 0% | 6.35% | 33 |
| Delaware | 0% | 0% | 0% | 47 |
| District of Columbia | 6% | 0% | 6% | 38 |
| Florida | 6% | 0.98% | 6.98% | 28 |
| Georgia | 4% | 3.56% | 7.56% | 18 |
| Hawaii | 4% | 0.5% | 4.5% | 45 |
| Idaho | 6% | 0.03% | 6.03% | 37 |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 2.73% | 8.98% | 8 |
| Indiana | 7% | 0% | 7% | 25 |
| Iowa | 6% | 0.94% | 6.94% | 29 |
| Kansas | 6.5% | 2.21% | 8.71% | 9 |
| Kentucky | 6% | 0% | 6% | 38 |
| Louisiana | 5% | 5.13% | 10.13% | 1 |
| Maine | 5.5% | 0% | 5.5% | 43 |
| Maryland | 6% | 0% | 6% | 38 |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 0% | 6.25% | 35 |
| Michigan | 6% | 0% | 6% | 38 |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | 1.26% | 8.14% | 15 |
| Mississippi | 7% | 0.06% | 7.06% | 24 |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 4.22% | 8.44% | 12 |
| Montana | 0% | 0% | 0% | 47 |
| Nebraska | 5.5% | 1.48% | 6.98% | 27 |
| Nevada | 6.85% | 1.39% | 8.24% | 13 |
| New Hampshire | 0% | 0% | 0% | 47 |
| New Jersey | 6.625% | −0.02% | 6.6% | 30 |
| New Mexico | 4.875% | 2.8% | 7.68% | 17 |
| New York | 4% | 4.54% | 8.54% | 10 |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 2.35% | 7.1% | 22 |
| North Dakota | 5% | 2.09% | 7.09% | 23 |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 1.54% | 7.29% | 21 |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% | 4.56% | 9.06% | 6 |
| Oregon | 0% | 0% | 0% | 47 |
| Pennsylvania | 6% | 0.34% | 6.34% | 34 |
| Rhode Island | 7% | 0% | 7% | 25 |
| South Carolina | 6% | 1.49% | 7.49% | 19 |
| South Dakota | 4.2% | 1.91% | 6.11% | 36 |
| Tennessee | 7% | 2.61% | 9.61% | 2 |
| Texas | 6.25% | 1.95% | 8.2% | 14 |
| Utah | 6.1% | 1.32% | 7.42% | 20 |
| Vermont | 6% | 0.43% | 6.43% | 32 |
| Virginia | 5.3% | 0.47% | 5.77% | 41 |
| Washington | 6.5% | 3.07% | 9.57% | 3 |
| West Virginia | 6% | 0.6% | 6.6% | 31 |
| Wisconsin | 5% | 0.72% | 5.72% | 42 |
| Wyoming | 4% | 1.39% | 5.39% | 44 |
Source: Tax Foundation, State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026. Combined rates are computed from unrounded local averages, so a state and local rate may not add up exactly. The Tax Foundation does not rank D.C.; its rank shows where it would fall. Tied states share a rank.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the pre-tax price by the tax rate written as a decimal, then add the result to the price. At 9.03%, a $100.00 item has $100.00 × 0.0903 = $9.03 of tax, for a total of $109.03. The same answer comes from multiplying the price by 1 plus the rate (1.0903). Use the combined rate for the place of sale: state plus county, city and district taxes.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the tax rate. A $1,000.00 total at 9.03% came from a pre-tax price of $1,000.00 ÷ 1.0903 = $917.18, so the tax was $82.82. Subtracting 9.03% of the total instead gives $909.70, which is too low because the tax was charged on the smaller pre-tax price, not on the total.
Which state has the highest sales tax?
Louisiana has the highest combined state and average local sales tax rate, 10.13% as of July 1, 2026, followed by Tennessee (9.61%) and Washington (9.57%), according to the Tax Foundation. California has the highest state-level rate, 7.25%. Local rates in individual cities can be higher than these averages.
Which states have no sales tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax. Alaska lets local governments levy their own sales taxes, which average 1.82%. Other taxes can still apply in these states, such as New Hampshire’s tax on meals and rooms or Delaware’s gross receipts tax on businesses.
Is sales tax deductible on my federal tax return?
Only if you itemize. On Schedule A you can deduct either state and local income taxes or general sales taxes, not both, and the total state and local tax (SALT) deduction for 2026 is capped at $40,400 ($20,200 if married filing separately). The IRS lets you use actual receipts or its optional sales tax tables plus tax on big purchases such as a car.
Why is the tax on my receipt different from the calculator?
The state presets use the state rate plus the population-weighted average local rate, but the rate that applies to you depends on the exact city, county and special district of the sale. Many items are also taxed differently: groceries, clothing and prescription drugs are exempt or taxed at reduced rates in many states. For an exact figure, enter your local combined rate as a custom rate.