US Sales Tax Calculator (2026)

US sales tax is local

Unlike most countries, the US has no national sales tax. Instead, 45 states plus DC charge a state sales tax, and thousands of cities and counties add local taxes on top. The result is a combined rate that varies not just by state but by zip code.

The no-sales-tax states

Five states charge no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon (though Alaska allows local sales taxes). For those, this calculator shows $0 unless you enter a custom local rate.

How US sales tax works

There is no federal sales tax in the United States. Sales tax is set and collected at the state and local level, which is why the amount added at the register depends entirely on where the sale takes place. A typical combined rate is built from several layers:

• State rate — the base percentage set by the state legislature.
• County rate — an extra percentage some counties add.
• City or district rate — additional local taxes charged by a city or a special taxing district (for transit, stadiums and so on).

Added together, these make up the combined rate you actually pay. Two towns in the same state can have noticeably different totals, and a handful of states charge no state sales tax at all. Because of this patchwork, the safest number to use is the exact combined rate for the sale location rather than a broad average.

What each input means

The calculator keeps the inputs simple:

• Amount (before tax) — the price of the item or purchase. If you are using "Remove tax", this is instead the total that already includes tax.
• State — pick a state and the calculator fills in an average combined state-and-local rate as a starting point.
• Calculation — choose "Add tax to amount" to add tax on top of a pre-tax price, or "Remove tax (reverse)" to work backward from a tax-included total.
• Override rate (optional) — leave this blank to use the state average, or type your exact local rate (for example, from a receipt) to get a precise figure for your city or county.

A worked example

Here is an illustrative example using a round, made-up rate — it is not the real rate for any particular place. Suppose you buy an item for $50 in a location with an example combined sales tax rate of 8%:

• Sales tax = $50 × 0.08 = $4.00
• Total price = $50 + $4.00 = $54.00

To reverse it: if you paid $54.00 including that same example 8% tax, the pre-tax price is $54.00 ÷ 1.08 = $50.00, and the tax portion is $4.00. Always use your own local combined rate for real purchases.

Origin- vs destination-based sales tax

States differ in which location's rate applies, which mostly matters for sellers and online orders:

• Destination-based — tax is charged at the rate of the buyer's location (where the item is delivered or used). Most states work this way.
• Origin-based — tax is charged at the rate of the seller's location. A smaller number of states use this approach for in-state sales.

For an everyday in-store purchase the distinction rarely matters, because the store and the buyer are in the same place. It becomes important for shipping and remote sales, where the applicable rate may be the customer's address rather than the seller's.

What's usually taxable vs exempt

Rules vary widely by state, but some general patterns are common:

• Often exempt or taxed at a lower rate: unprepared groceries, prescription medicine and, in some states, certain clothing.
• Usually taxable: most general retail goods, prepared or restaurant food, and many taxable services.

These are only broad tendencies. Because each state writes its own list of exemptions, always check your state's rules if you need to know whether a specific item is taxed.

Why use a custom rate

Because local taxes vary so much, the state averages here are a guide. If you know your exact local rate — from a receipt or your city's website — enter it in the override field for a precise figure.

Reverse calculation

Choose "Remove tax" to find the pre-tax price from a total that already includes sales tax — handy for bookkeeping and expense reports.

Key terms

• State sales tax — the base rate a state charges on taxable sales.
• Local / combined rate — the state rate plus any county, city or district rates; the total percentage you actually pay.
• Use tax — a companion tax you may owe on items bought without sales tax (for example, from an out-of-state seller) but used in your state.
• Nexus — the connection a business has to a state (such as a location or a level of sales) that requires it to collect that state's sales tax.
• Tax-exempt — a purchase, buyer or item that is not subject to sales tax under a state's rules.
• Tax-inclusive pricing — a displayed price that already contains the tax, so nothing extra is added at checkout; common abroad but unusual in the US.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Using only the state rate. Forgetting county and city add-ons can understate the tax; use the full combined rate.
• Assuming the sticker price is final. In the US, sales tax is usually added at checkout, so budget a little extra.
• Applying one state's rate everywhere. Rates change across city and county lines, even within a single state.
• Mixing up add vs remove. Use "Remove tax" only when your amount already includes tax; otherwise you will double-count.

Frequently asked questions

How is US sales tax calculated?

Sales tax is calculated by multiplying the item's price by the sales tax rate for your location, then adding it to the price. This calculator lets you enter a price and rate to see both the tax amount and the final total. Because rates vary by state, county and city, you enter the rate that applies where the purchase happens.

Why does sales tax vary by state and city?

The US has no national sales tax. Instead, each state sets its own base rate, and counties and cities can add local rates on top. This means the combined sales tax on the same item can differ significantly from one location to another, and a few states have no sales tax at all.

How do I find my local sales tax rate?

Your total sales tax rate is the state rate plus any county and city rates for the exact location of the sale. You can usually find your combined rate on your state's department of revenue website or on a recent local receipt. Enter that combined rate into the calculator for an accurate total.

Is sales tax added to the listed price?

In the US, listed prices usually do not include sales tax — it's added at checkout. This differs from many other countries where tax is built into the displayed price. That's why the final amount you pay is often higher than the sticker price.

What items are exempt from sales tax?

Exemptions vary by state, but common examples include certain groceries, prescription medicine and some clothing. Because rules differ so much between states, always check your state's specific exemptions if you're unsure whether tax applies to a particular purchase.

What is use tax?

Use tax is a companion to sales tax. If you buy a taxable item without paying sales tax — for example, from an out-of-state seller — and then use it in your own state, you may owe use tax at your local rate. It exists so purchases are taxed consistently no matter where they are bought.

Do online purchases have sales tax?

Often, yes. Many online sellers now collect sales tax based on the buyer's delivery address, especially larger retailers and marketplaces. If tax is not collected at checkout, you may still owe use tax on the purchase in your state.

How does the reverse (remove tax) calculation work?

Reverse mode starts from a total that already includes tax and divides it by one plus the tax rate to find the pre-tax price. The difference between the total and that pre-tax price is the tax portion. It's useful for expense reports and bookkeeping when you only have the final amount.

This calculator provides estimates for general information only and is not financial or tax advice. See our disclaimer.