Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax amount and total price with tax. Enter price and tax rate to get instant results.
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Formula
Tax Amount = Price × (Tax Rate / 100)Example
Complete Guide
Reviewed by PercentLab Editorial Team · Last updated:
A sales tax calculator answers the question every US shopper asks at the register: what will this actually cost me? The formula is short — tax = price x (rate / 100), total = price + tax — but the rate itself is the hard part, because the United States has no single national rate. Your checkout total depends on state, county, city, and sometimes special districts stacked together.
The pattern to memorize: state base rate first, local additions second, combined rate is what you pay. California has the highest state base at 7.25%, but Chicago checkout hits 10.25% and New York City 8.875% once local taxes stack on. Five states (Alaska with local exceptions, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon) have no statewide tax at all — which is why the same $100 item can cost $100 in Portland and over $110 in Chicago.
One more rule that saves money: in most states the discount lowers the taxable price, so always compute the sale price first with our discount calculator, then add tax here. And because rates change, treat any table — including ours — as a starting estimate and confirm with your state Department of Revenue before filing or invoicing.
Worked examples
Forward: $100 item at 8.5% tax
- Convert the rate to a decimal: 8.5 / 100 = 0.085.
- Multiply by the price: $100 x 0.085 = $8.50 tax.
- Add: $100 + $8.50 = $108.50 total.
Tax is $8.50 and the out-the-door total is $108.50.
Reverse: receipt total $108.50 at 8.5% tax
- Do NOT subtract 8.5% from the total (that gives $99.28, which is wrong).
- Divide by 1 plus the decimal rate: $108.50 / 1.085.
- Result: exactly $100.00 pre-tax price.
Reverse formula: price = total / (1 + rate). Our tool does both directions.
Cross-state deal check: $100 jacket, 20% off, Oregon vs Chicago
- Oregon (0% tax): $100 x 0.80 = $80.00, total stays $80.00.
- Chicago (10.25% combined): $100 x 0.80 = $80.00, tax $80 x 0.1025 = $8.20, total $88.20.
- Same jacket, same sale — different checkout by $8.20.
Location can matter more than the discount itself.
State base rates shoppers ask about most (cities add more — verify locally)
| State | Base rate | Checkout note |
|---|---|---|
| California | 7.25% | Highest state base; LA area exceeds 10% |
| Texas | 6.25% | Often 8.25% combined in big cities |
| New York | 4.00% | NYC totals 8.875% with local add-ons |
| Florida | 6.00% | County surtax can apply |
| Washington | 6.50% | Local rates vary widely by address |
| Illinois | 6.25% | Chicago totals 10.25% |
| Oregon | No statewide tax | $100 sticker = $100 at checkout |
Mistakes to avoid
Using the state base instead of the combined rate
The state rate is only the starting point. In Chicago the 6.25% state base becomes 10.25% at checkout. Always use the combined state + county + city rate for your exact address.
Reversing tax by subtracting the percent
To remove 8.5% tax from $108.50, divide by 1.085 to get $100 — do not compute $108.50 minus 8.5%, which wrongly gives $99.28.
Taxing the pre-discount price
In most states tax applies to the discounted price, not the original. Compute the sale price first (discount calculator), then apply tax here — and confirm your state rules with its Department of Revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
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