Taxes

Sales Tax Calculator

Add an entered combined sales-tax rate to a purchase, or separate the taxable subtotal, tax amount, and final price before checkout.

Method reviewedAugust 8, 2026

Total after sales tax

$129.90

8.25% applied to a $120.00 taxable subtotal.

Subtotal: $120.00
Sales tax: $9.90
Tax per item: $9.90

Product exemptions, tax holidays, delivery location, and local sourcing rules may change the actual tax.

GUIDE

Use the combined rate that applies to the purchase location and item. U.S. sales tax can include state, county, city, and special-district components.

Find the rate that applies

There is no single nationwide U.S. sales-tax rate. A purchase can be affected by state, county, municipal, and special-district rates, and the correct location can depend on delivery or sourcing rules.

Use the combined rate shown by the seller or the appropriate state or local tax authority. Enter the percentage as a number such as 8.25, not as 0.0825.

Confirm whether the listed price is before tax.
Check whether shipping or service charges are taxable.
Use the delivery location for online purchases when local rules require it.
Review exemptions or sales-tax holidays for the product category.

Reverse-check a receipt

To verify a receipt, enter the pre-tax price, quantity, and displayed tax rate. Compare the tool's tax amount with the receipt while allowing for rounding at the item or invoice level.

Mixed baskets may use different rates or exemptions. Calculate those groups separately before adding the results.

Limits of a general calculator

The tool does not look up a jurisdiction, classify a product, or decide where a transaction is sourced. Food, clothing, medicine, digital products, services, vehicles, and business purchases can receive special treatment.

For a binding answer, consult the revenue department for the state and locality involved.

The formula used

Sales tax = price per item × quantity × tax rate; total = subtotal + sales tax

The entered percentage is converted to a decimal and applied to the full entered subtotal. The tool assumes every item is taxable at the same rate.

Example: an $120 purchase

WORKED EXAMPLE

One item priced at $120 with an entered rate of 8.25% produces $9.90 in estimated sales tax and a final total of $129.90.

Sources and further reading

We use primary educational sources to check terminology and explain how the calculation fits into real financial decisions.

USA.gov — State and local governments↗Practical Money Calculators — Methodology↗

Common questions

Understand the estimate

What rate should I enter?+

Enter the combined state and local rate that applies to the transaction. A seller, receipt, or state tax authority can provide the appropriate rate.

Does every item use the same sales-tax rate?+

No. Exemptions and special rates can differ by product and location. Calculate separate groups when a basket contains differently taxed items.

Why is the store total off by a cent?+

Sellers may round tax for each item or for the full invoice. Different rounding methods can create a small difference.

Does the calculator include use tax?+

It only applies the rate you enter. Whether a purchase creates a sales-tax or use-tax obligation depends on the transaction and jurisdiction.

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