Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate US sales tax by state — add or remove tax instantly
Many cities/counties add local tax on top of the state rate
US State Sales Tax Rates (2024/2025)
What is Sales Tax?
Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments in the United States on the sale of goods and certain services. Unlike VAT used in other countries, US sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale to the consumer.
Each state sets its own base sales tax rate, and cities or counties may add local taxes on top. This means the total tax rate can vary significantly even within the same state. Five states — Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon — charge no state sales tax.
How to Use This Calculator
- Choose your mode — "Add Tax" to calculate tax on a pre-tax amount, or "Remove Tax" to find the pre-tax price from a total.
- Enter the amount — Type the dollar amount of your purchase or total.
- Select your state — Pick your US state to apply the correct state tax rate.
- Add local tax (optional) — Enter your city or county tax rate if applicable.
- View results — See the instant breakdown of subtotal, state tax, local tax, and grand total.
Common Sales Tax Exemptions
Many states exempt certain items from sales tax:
Groceries
Most states exempt unprepared food items
Prescription Drugs
Exempt in nearly all states
Clothing
Exempt in PA, NJ, MN, and some others
Tax Holidays
Many states have back-to-school or disaster prep tax-free weekends
States With No Sales Tax
- ✓ Alaska*
- ✓ Delaware
- ✓ Montana
- ✓ New Hampshire
- ✓ Oregon
*Alaska has no state tax but some localities charge local sales tax.
Sales Tax Tips
- ✓ Always check your local rate — it can add 1-5% on top of the state rate.
- ✓ Online purchases are taxable based on the buyer's location in most states.
- ✓ Watch for tax-free weekends for back-to-school or emergency supplies.
- ✓ Business purchases may qualify for resale exemptions with a valid permit.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is sales tax calculated in the US?
Sales tax is calculated as a percentage of the purchase price. The total tax rate combines the state rate and any local (city/county) rates. For example, if you buy a $100 item in California (7.25% state rate), you pay $7.25 in tax for a total of $107.25.
Which US states have no sales tax?
Five states have no state-level sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, Alaska allows local municipalities to charge sales tax, so some Alaskan cities do collect it.
What is the difference between state and local sales tax?
State sales tax is set by the state government and applies statewide. Local sales tax is an additional tax charged by cities, counties, or special districts on top of the state rate. Combined, they form the total sales tax rate you pay at the register.
Which state has the highest sales tax?
California has the highest base state sales tax rate at 7.25%. However, when combined with local taxes, Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas can have some of the highest total rates, sometimes exceeding 10%.
How do I calculate the pre-tax price from a total?
To find the pre-tax price, divide the total amount by (1 + tax rate as a decimal). For example, if the total is $107.25 and the tax rate is 7.25%, divide $107.25 by 1.0725 to get $100.00. Our Remove Tax mode does this calculation automatically.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
No. Sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale to the consumer. VAT (Value Added Tax), used in most other countries, is collected at every stage of production and distribution. The US does not use a federal VAT system.