How to use the sales tax calculator
- Choose "Add tax" to go from a price to the total, or "Remove tax" to find the price before tax from a receipt total.
- Type the amount and your sales tax rate. In the US the rate is usually the state rate plus any county and city rates, so check your state's department of revenue for the rate where the sale happens.
- Read the tax and the total.
How it's calculated
To remove tax, divide; don't subtract the rate from the total. Taking 8.25% off a total that includes 8.25% tax gives too little, because the tax was worked out on the smaller, pre-tax price.
Worked examples
The rates below are only examples, not the rate anywhere in particular.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't you fill in my state's rate?
US sales tax rates depend on the state, county, city and sometimes special districts, and they change. Your state's department of revenue publishes the rate for each address. Typing your own rate keeps the answer right for where you are.
Do I charge sales tax as a freelancer?
It depends on what you sell and where. In many US states services aren't taxed but some are, and the rules for digital products differ again. Check your state's department of revenue, or ask an accountant.
Why is my receipt a cent different?
Shops round tax per item or per receipt, and the rule differs by state. We round the final tax to the nearest cent.