TheTaxCalc.io

Sales Tax Calculator

Free sales tax calculator. Calculate sales tax for any US state with local rates. Includes reverse sales tax calculator to find original price from total.

How This Calculator Works

Sales tax is a consumption tax added to the price of goods and certain services at the point of sale. The rate you pay is the combined rate — the state base rate plus any local taxes from your county, city, or special district. This calculator uses average combined rates for all 50 US states.

The formula is straightforward: Tax = Purchase Price × Tax Rate. A $100 purchase at 8.25% combined rate = $8.25 in sales tax, for a total of $108.25. Four states — Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon — charge 0% state sales tax. Alaska has no state sales tax but allows local taxes.

Need to work backwards? The reverse sales tax formula divides the total by (1 + tax rate) to find the original price. A $108.25 total with 8.25% tax = $108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100.00 original price. This is essential for expense reports and bookkeeping.

Rates vary dramatically by state. Louisiana and Tennessee have the highest average combined rates at 9.56%, while four states charge nothing at all. Some cities — particularly in California, Louisiana, and Alabama — push past 10% when all local taxes are combined. The average combined rate across the US is about 6.6%.

Since the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, states can require online retailers to collect sales tax regardless of physical presence. Most online purchases now include sales tax based on the buyer's location.

Key Rates & Data for 2026

Highest State (LA, TN)

9.56% combined

Lowest (excl. 0%)

AK 1.82% combined

No Sales Tax States

DE, MT, NH, OR

US Average Combined Rate

~6.6%

CA Combined Rate

8.82%

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the purchase price by the sales tax rate (as a decimal). Add the result to the original price to get the total. Example: $100 item at 8.25% sales tax = $100 × 0.0825 = $8.25 tax, $108.25 total. The rate you use should be the combined state and local rate for your area — not just the state base rate.
Which states have no sales tax?
Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon charge 0% state sales tax. However, some local jurisdictions in these states may have niche taxes on specific items like lodging, prepared food, or rental cars. Alaska also has no state sales tax, but allows local municipalities to levy their own — the average combined rate there is about 1.82%.
What is the difference between state and local sales tax?
State sales tax is set by the state government and applies across the entire state. Local sales tax is added by counties, cities, or special districts on top of the state rate. The "combined rate" is what you actually pay at the register — it's the state rate plus whatever local rate applies in that specific location. That's why the same purchase can cost different amounts depending on which city or county you're in.
How do I calculate the original price from the total?
Divide the total by (1 + tax rate). Example: $108.25 total with 8.25% tax = $108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100 original price. This is called a reverse sales tax calculation and it's useful for expense reports, bookkeeping, or anytime you know what you paid total but need to separate the tax portion.
What is the average sales tax rate in the US?
The average combined (state + local) sales tax rate across all US states is about 6.6%. However, rates vary widely from 0% in states like Oregon and Delaware to over 9.5% in states like Louisiana and Tennessee. Some cities in California, Louisiana, and Alabama push past 10% when all local taxes are included.
Are groceries subject to sales tax?
It varies by state. Most states exempt groceries from sales tax or tax them at a reduced rate. Some states like Mississippi fully tax groceries at the regular rate. Illinois charges 1% on groceries (much lower than their standard rate). A few states offer grocery tax credits or rebates to offset the burden on lower-income households. Prepared food, restaurant meals, and takeout are almost always taxed at the full rate everywhere.

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