Sales Tax Calculator

How to Use This Calculator

Knowing the total price including tax helps you budget accurately. Here's how to calculate sales tax:

1. Enter the item price or subtotal before tax.
2. Select your state from the dropdown to use the average combined state and local rate, or enter a custom rate.
3. If you know your exact local rate differs from the state average, enter it in the custom rate field.
4. Click 'Calculate' to see the tax amount and total price.

Why This Matters

Sales tax varies dramatically across the United States - from 0% in states like Delaware and Oregon to over 10% in parts of Louisiana and Tennessee when combining state and local rates. Understanding sales tax helps you budget for purchases, compare prices across state lines, and avoid sticker shock at checkout. For large purchases like cars, appliances, or electronics, even a 1% difference can mean hundreds of dollars.

• Know exactly what you'll pay before reaching the register
• Compare out-the-door prices when shopping across state lines
• Budget accurately for large purchases where tax adds up significantly
• Understand the true cost of online purchases shipped to your state
• Calculate tax-inclusive prices for business pricing decisions

Worked Examples

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forgetting that online purchases often have sales tax now - most states require collection on online orders.
• Using state-only rates when local taxes add significantly - some cities add 3-5% on top of state rates.
• Not accounting for tax when comparing prices across retailers - a lower price plus higher tax might cost more.
• Assuming all items are taxed equally - groceries, clothing, and medications are exempt or reduced in many states.
• Forgetting about use tax - if you buy from a state with no sales tax, you may owe use tax in your home state.