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Calculate sales tax instantly for all US states. Support for reverse calculation, tax-inclusive pricing & multi-state comparison
Use this to add local taxes or use custom rates
Price Before Tax
$100.00
Sales Tax (7.25%)
$7.25
Total Price
$107.25
Formula: Sales Tax = $100.00 × 7.25% = $7.25
Note: This shows state sales tax rate. Local taxes may apply in your area.
Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by governments on the sale of goods and services. In the United States, sales tax is primarily collected at the state and local levels, with rates varying significantly across different jurisdictions. The tax is typically calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and added to the final cost paid by the consumer.
Sales tax serves as a major revenue source for state and local governments, funding essential services like education, infrastructure, public safety, and healthcare. Unlike income tax which is based on earnings, sales tax is based on consumption, making it a regressive tax that affects lower-income individuals proportionally more.
Sales Tax = Purchase Price × (Tax Rate / 100)
Total Price = Purchase Price + Sales Tax
Scenario: You're buying a laptop for $1,000 in California (7.25% sales tax)
Original Price = Total Price / (1 + Tax Rate/100)
Sales Tax = Total Price - Original Price
Note: These are base state rates. Local taxes may apply, increasing the total rate significantly in some areas.
Complete database of all 50 states plus DC with current 2024 rates
Find original price from tax-inclusive total amount
Compare sales tax across all states for the same purchase
Add local taxes or use custom rates for accurate calculations
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To calculate sales tax, multiply the purchase price by the sales tax rate. Formula: Sales Tax = Price × (Tax Rate / 100). For example, if you buy an item for $100 with 7.25% sales tax: Sales Tax = $100 × 0.0725 = $7.25. Total price = $100 + $7.25 = $107.25. Our calculator does this automatically for all US states and custom rates.
Five US states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, Alaska allows local municipalities to charge local sales taxes. These states are popular for large purchases like vehicles, electronics, and furniture. Note that some of these states may have other taxes like income tax or property tax to compensate.
Reverse sales tax calculation finds the original price when you know the tax-inclusive total. Formula: Original Price = Total Amount / (1 + Tax Rate/100). For example, if total is $107.25 with 7.25% tax: Original = $107.25 / 1.0725 = $100. Sales Tax = $107.25 - $100 = $7.25. Use our Reverse Sales Tax Calculator tab for instant calculations.
California has the highest base state sales tax rate at 7.25%, followed by Indiana, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Tennessee at 7.00%. However, when combined with local taxes, Louisiana has the highest average combined rate at 9.55%, followed by Tennessee (9.547%), Arkansas (9.48%), Washington (9.29%), and Alabama (9.24%). Always check local rates for accurate calculations.
Yes, most online purchases are subject to sales tax. After the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, states can require online retailers to collect sales tax even without physical presence. Most major online retailers now collect sales tax based on your shipping address. If the seller doesn't collect it, you may owe 'use tax' when filing state tax returns.
State sales tax is the base rate set by the state government and applies statewide. Local sales tax is additional tax imposed by counties, cities, or special districts. Combined sales tax = State rate + Local rate. For example, California's state rate is 7.25%, but Los Angeles adds local taxes making the total 9.5%. Our calculator shows state rates; add local rates for your specific location.
It depends on the state. 32 states exempt most groceries from sales tax, 6 states tax groceries at the full rate, and 7 states tax groceries at a reduced rate. Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon) have no sales tax at all. Prepared foods, candy, and soft drinks are often taxed even in states that exempt groceries. Check your state's specific rules.
Businesses with sales tax nexus (physical or economic presence) must register with the state, collect sales tax from customers at the point of sale, maintain detailed records, and file periodic returns (monthly, quarterly, or annually) remitting collected taxes to the state. Businesses need to track rates for each jurisdiction, handle exemptions, and stay updated on rate changes. Many use automated sales tax software for compliance.
Sales tax nexus is the connection between a business and a state that creates a tax collection obligation. Physical nexus includes having offices, warehouses, employees, or inventory in a state. Economic nexus is triggered by sales volume or transaction count (typically $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions annually). After the Wayfair decision, most states enforce economic nexus for online sellers.
Yes, certain purchases and buyers qualify for sales tax exemptions. Common exemptions include: purchases for resale (with valid resale certificate), manufacturing equipment, agricultural supplies, non-profit organizations, government entities, and specific items like prescription drugs or medical devices. Requirements vary by state. Buyers must provide valid exemption certificates to sellers to avoid paying sales tax.
Sales tax rates can change quarterly, annually, or anytime local governments pass new legislation. State rates change less frequently (every few years), but local rates change more often. January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 are common effective dates for rate changes. Businesses must stay updated on rate changes to remain compliant. Our calculator uses current 2024 rates.
This calculator provides current 2024 base state sales tax rates from official government sources. Note that most locations also have additional local taxes (county, city, special district) that vary by ZIP code. For the complete rate including local taxes in your specific area, visit your state's Department of Revenue website or use their ZIP code lookup tool. This calculator is designed for base rate calculations and educational purposes.
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Last Updated: December 2024 | Data Sources: Official state Department of Revenue websites, Tax Foundation research, and IRS publications
Official IRS guidance on sales tax deductions and compliance
Visit IRS.gov →Comprehensive research on state and local sales tax rates
Visit TaxFoundation.org →Multi-state sales tax compliance and rate information
Visit StreamlinedSalesTax.org →Official state tax authority websites for accurate local rates and current regulations
About Our Calculator: This tool is developed and maintained by financial calculation experts. We regularly update tax rates from official government sources to ensure accuracy. While we strive for precision, always verify with your local tax authority for official rates applicable to your specific situation.
Unlike competitors, we include all 50 states plus DC with current 2024 rates in one place
Most calculators only work one way - we offer reverse calculation to find original prices
Unique feature to compare sales tax across all states simultaneously
Add local taxes or custom rates - flexibility competitors don't offer
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Comprehensive FAQs and guides to help you understand sales tax
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