Sales Tax Calculator

Add tax to a price, or figure out the pre-tax amount from a tax-included total.

Details

$
%

Result

Total with tax
$0
Add mode: tax = price × rate. Extract mode: pre-tax = total ÷ (1 + rate). Enter your combined state + local rate.
About this calculator

Sales Tax Calculator

A sales tax calculator adds tax to a price or backs it out of a tax-included total. Enter the amount and your combined state-and-local rate to see the tax and the final price.

Adding tax vs. backing it out

There are two everyday questions: what a listed price becomes after tax, and what pre-tax amount is hidden inside a tax-included total. To add tax, multiply the price by the rate. To back it out, divide the total by one plus the rate, not by subtracting the rate, which slightly overstates the tax. This calculator handles both directions.

Rates are combined and local

The rate that applies is rarely just the state rate, most places stack county and city taxes on top, so two towns in the same state can differ by a couple of percent. Rules also vary on what's taxed: groceries, clothing, and services are exempt or reduced in some states. Use your exact combined local rate for an accurate figure.

How to use it

  1. Choose add-tax or extract-tax mode.
  2. Enter the price (or the tax-included total).
  3. Enter your sales tax rate.
  4. See the tax amount and the total or pre-tax price.

Frequently asked questions

How do I calculate sales tax?

Multiply the price by the tax rate. To find a pre-tax price from a total, divide the total by one plus the rate.

What sales tax rate should I use?

Your combined rate, the state rate plus any county or city tax. It varies widely by location.

Is sales tax charged after a trade-in?

In most U.S. states, yes, a trade-in reduces the taxable amount. Rules vary, so check your state.

See the exact formula and a worked example on our methodology page.

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