Free Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate US sales tax in seconds. Add sales tax on top of a pre-tax price, or work backwards from a receipt total to find the pre-tax amount. Quick presets for common state rates.
State averages are approximate combined state + local rates. Actual sales tax varies by city, county, and item category — check the exact rate for your jurisdiction before filing.
How the sales tax calculator works
Handles forward and reverse calculations — both common in US retail.
Pick the direction
Use "Add tax" to calculate the final price a customer pays. Use "Remove tax" when you have a total and need the pre-tax figure for bookkeeping.
Enter amount and rate
Type the amount, then the sales tax rate, or tap a state chip to autofill the average combined rate for California, Texas, New York, Florida, and more.
Read the results
See the pre-tax amount, the tax portion, and the total. Copy the figures to your invoice, receipt, or accounting entry.
Why use this calculator
Instant results
Every change recalculates live — no loading, no wait. Run scenarios in seconds.
Runs in your browser
Nothing is sent to our servers. Your numbers stay on your device.
12 languages
Use it in English, Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Polish, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, or Arabic.
Accurate and transparent
Clean math with clear breakdowns so you understand every figure — not a black box.
Want to go further than a calculator?
Create a free KipBill account to invoice clients, track payments, manage taxes, and send reminders automatically.
Open free accountSales Tax Calculator — FAQ
How do I calculate US sales tax?+
Multiply the pre-tax amount by the sales tax rate (state + local) and add it to the pre-tax amount for the total. A $100 item at 8.5% sales tax: $100 × 0.085 = $8.50 tax, $108.50 total. This calculator does both forward and reverse calculations.
Which states have no sales tax?+
Five US states have no statewide sales tax: Oregon, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Alaska. Alaska permits local sales taxes, so check city/county rates. Montana has some local resort taxes in tourist areas.
Do the state rates in the chips include local taxes?+
Yes — the quick state chips show an approximate combined state + average local rate. Exact rates vary by city, county, and sometimes ZIP code. For compliance use the specific rate of the delivery location.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?+
No. Sales tax is a single retail-level tax charged to the final consumer in the US. VAT is a multi-stage tax where each business pays tax on value added and claims input credits. The calculations differ — use this tool for US sales tax and our VAT calculator for VAT.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?+
Divide the total by (1 + rate / 100). For a $108.50 total at 8.5% rate: 108.50 / 1.085 = $100 pre-tax. Tax amount is $8.50. Switch to "Remove tax" and the calculator does it automatically.
Does this calculator handle tax-exempt items?+
Use a 0% rate for tax-exempt items (groceries in many states, prescription drugs, resale purchases). For mixed carts with some exempt items, calculate each group separately and sum the results.