Sales Tax Calculator

Tax amount = subtotal x (rate / 100), and the total you pay = subtotal + tax. For example, a $50.00 item at 8% tax costs $4.00 in tax and $54.00 total. To back out a subtotal from a tax-inclusive total, divide: subtotal = total / (1 + rate / 100).

Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no statewide general sales tax. Local taxes, lodging, meals, excise taxes, and other special taxes can still apply. Alaska also has no statewide general sales tax, but local jurisdictions may impose one. The presets are planning inputs, not a jurisdiction-specific tax determination.

States can authorize counties, cities, and special districts to layer their own rates on top of the state base rate. A shopper in one zip code can pay a meaningfully different rate than someone across town. The state presets here use the combined statewide average, so enter your actual local rate for a precise result.

Yes, in most states. The 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair gave states the authority to require online retailers to collect sales tax once they cross certain sales thresholds in that state. If the retailer does not collect it, you may legally owe use tax directly to your state.

Both are consumption taxes, but they work differently. VAT (used in most countries outside the US) is collected and remitted at each stage of the supply chain, from raw materials to retailer. US sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale to the end consumer.

A national average is not useful for calculating a purchase. Combined state and local rates vary widely, and local changes can alter the result even when the state rate stays the same. Enter the rate for the delivery or purchase location and confirm it with the state revenue department or seller.