the United States Sales Tax calculator
Add or remove the United States Sales Tax at the rates in force.
Calculator inputs
Results
Enter your values and press “Calculate” to see the result.
Official source: departamento de ingresos del estado correspondiente ↗
In short
- What it calculates
- Add or remove the United States Sales Tax at the rates in force.
- Formula used
Add: total = net × (1 + rate ÷ 100)- Example
- A product priced $1,000 before tax, at the standard 7 % rate:
the United States Sales Tax calculator
In the United States the indirect tax on consumption is Sales Tax (state and local sales tax), with a standard rate of 7%.
The United States has no federal VAT. Each state, county and city sets its own sales tax, and the combined figure ranges from 0% in Oregon, Delaware, Montana and New Hampshire to over 10% in some localities. Prices are advertised without tax, which is added at the till.
This calculator works both ways: it adds the tax to a price without it and also breaks it out of a final price.
How it works
Enter the amount, choose whether to add or remove the tax and pick the rate. The rates available in the United States are: standard 7 %, reduced 6 %, reduced 2 8.25 %, increased 9.5 % and zero-rated 0 %.
If you need a rate other than those listed, choose “other rate” and type it in.
Formula
Add: total = net × (1 + rate ÷ 100)
Remove: net = total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100)
Tax = total − net
Worked example
A product priced $1,000 before tax, at the standard 7 % rate:
Sales Tax amount: $70
Final price: $1,070
The other way round, starting from $1,070 tax included, the base is $1,000 again.
Explanation
There is no federal sales tax
The United States is the great exception among developed economies: it has no VAT. Each state decides whether to tax sales and at what rate, and below the state level, counties, cities and special districts can add their own. The upshot is that the effective rate depends on the exact delivery address, not on the state in the abstract.
Five states with no state-level tax
Oregon, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Alaska levy no state sales tax, although some Alaskan localities do. At the other end, the combined state, county and city figure exceeds 10% in parts of Louisiana, Tennessee and Arkansas.
Prices exclude tax on the shelf
Unlike Europe or Latin America, the advertised price does not include tax: it is added at the register. That is why this calculator is mostly used in the 'add' direction, to find out what you will actually pay.
Economic nexus
Since South Dakota v. Wayfair, an online seller can be required to collect a state's tax without any physical presence there, once it crosses that state's sales or transaction thresholds.
Frequently asked questions
Which Sales Tax rates apply in the United States?
The rates built into the calculator are: standard 7 %, reduced 6 %, reduced 2 8.25 %, increased 9.5 % and zero-rated 0 %. Which one applies to a given product or service is set by the United States legislation; if in doubt, check with el departamento de ingresos del estado correspondiente.
How do I remove Sales Tax from a final price?
Choose the option to remove the tax and the calculator divides the final price by one plus the rate. Subtracting the percentage from the final price gives the wrong answer.
Which rate should I enter?
The combined state, county and city rate, which your state revenue department publishes. Because it varies so much, this calculator includes a manual rate option.
Which rate should I enter?
The combined state, county and city rate for the delivery address. Each state revenue department publishes a lookup by address or ZIP code.
Is food subject to sales tax?
It varies by state. Many exempt unprepared groceries or tax them at a reduced rate, while restaurant meals usually pay the full rate.
Do I charge tax on shipping?
Some states treat delivery charges as taxable, others do not, and a few make it depend on how the invoice is itemised.
Need to calculate something else?
These tools are often used alongside this calculator.
VAT
Add VAT or sales tax to a net amount at whatever rate you need.
Canada GST/HST
Add or remove Canada GST/HST at the rates in force.
Mexico IVA
Add or remove Mexico IVA at the rates in force.
Percentage
The four most common percentage calculations in a single tool.
VAT included
Break a tax-inclusive price down into the net amount and the tax.
Brazil ICMS
Add or remove Brazil ICMS at the rates in force.