Sales Tax Calculator: Rates by State & Formula (2026)
Calculate sales tax with the formula Price × Rate. Full 2026 chart of state sales tax rates, local additions, and examples for online shopping and in-store.
Sales Tax Calculator — Direct Answer
Sales tax = Price × Tax Rate. A $100 purchase at 7% sales tax costs $107. To reverse-calculate: Pre-tax price = Total ÷ (1 + rate). A $107 total at 7% = $100 pre-tax. State sales tax ranges from 0% (OR, MT, NH, DE, AK) to 7.25% (CA), with local taxes pushing combined rates to 10%+ in some cities.
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How to Calculate Sales Tax
Two formulas: forward (from price) and reverse (from total).
Forward: Sales Tax = Price × Tax Rate
Total = Price × (1 + Tax Rate)
Reverse: Pre-Tax Price = Total ÷ (1 + Tax Rate)
Where:
- Price = pre-tax amount
- Tax Rate = decimal (7% = 0.07)
- Total = amount paid
How to identify the correct tax rate
Use the combined rate = state + county + city + special district taxes.
Example: Los Angeles = 9.5% combined (7.25% state + 1.25% local + 1% district)
How to apply the forward formula
Example: $250 purchase at 8% tax
- Tax = 250 × 0.08 = $20
- Total = 250 × 1.08 = $270
How to apply the reverse formula
Example: $108 total at 8% tax
- Pre-tax = 108 ÷ 1.08 = $100
- Tax = 108 − 100 = $8
State Sales Tax Rates Chart (2026)
Base state rates
| State | State Rate | Combined Range |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 4.00% | 4%–11% |
| Alaska | 0.00% | 0%–7.5% |
| Arizona | 5.60% | 5.6%–11.2% |
| Arkansas | 6.50% | 6.5%–11.6% |
| California | 7.25% | 7.25%–10.75% |
| Colorado | 2.90% | 2.9%–11.2% |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| Delaware | 0.00% | 0% |
| Florida | 6.00% | 6%–8.5% |
| Georgia | 4.00% | 4%–9% |
| Hawaii | 4.00% | 4%–4.712% |
| Idaho | 6.00% | 6%–8.5% |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 6.25%–11% |
| Indiana | 7.00% | 7% |
| Iowa | 6.00% | 6%–7% |
| Kansas | 6.50% | 6.5%–11.5% |
| Kentucky | 6.00% | 6% |
| Louisiana | 4.45% | 4.45%–11.5% |
| Maine | 5.50% | 5.5% |
| Maryland | 6.00% | 6% |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| Michigan | 6.00% | 6% |
| Minnesota | 6.875% | 6.875%–9.875% |
| Mississippi | 7.00% | 7%–8% |
| Missouri | 4.225% | 4.225%–11.5% |
| Montana | 0.00% | 0% |
| Nebraska | 5.50% | 5.5%–7.5% |
| Nevada | 6.85% | 6.85%–8.375% |
| New Hampshire | 0.00% | 0% |
| New Jersey | 6.625% | 6.625% |
| New Mexico | 4.875% | 4.875%–9% |
| New York | 4.00% | 4%–8.875% |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 4.75%–7.5% |
| North Dakota | 5.00% | 5%–8.5% |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 5.75%–8% |
| Oklahoma | 4.50% | 4.5%–11.5% |
| Oregon | 0.00% | 0% |
| Pennsylvania | 6.00% | 6%–8% |
| Rhode Island | 7.00% | 7% |
| South Carolina | 6.00% | 6%–9% |
| South Dakota | 4.20% | 4.2%–6.2% |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | 7%–9.75% |
| Texas | 6.25% | 6.25%–8.25% |
| Utah | 6.10% | 6.1%–9.05% |
| Vermont | 6.00% | 6%–7% |
| Virginia | 5.30% | 5.3%–7% |
| Washington | 6.50% | 6.5%–10.4% |
| West Virginia | 6.00% | 6%–7% |
| Wisconsin | 5.00% | 5%–6.75% |
| Wyoming | 4.00% | 4%–6% |
Common Sales Tax Mistakes
Mistake 1: Using only state rate
Local taxes add 0–5% on top of state. Los Angeles combined is 9.5%, not 7.25%.
Fix: Look up your combined rate for your specific city.
Mistake 2: Confusing sales tax with use tax
Sales tax = collected at point of sale. Use tax = paid on out-of-state purchases.
Fix: For online purchases, use tax may apply if the seller doesn't collect sales tax.
Mistake 3: Applying tax to exempt items
Groceries, prescriptions, and some clothing are tax-exempt in many states.
Fix: Check your state's exempt list. Tax only taxable items.
Sales Tax vs VAT vs GST
Sales tax (US)
- Level: State + local
- Visible: Added at checkout
- Rate: 0–11% combined
VAT (EU, UK)
- Level: National
- Visible: Included in price
- Rate: 15–27%
GST (Canada, Australia, India)
- Level: Federal + provincial
- Visible: Added at checkout
- Rate: 5–28%
Sales Tax Calculator FAQ
How do I calculate sales tax?
Sales Tax = Price × Tax Rate. A $100 item at 7% = $7 tax, $107 total.
How do I calculate sales tax backwards?
Pre-tax = Total ÷ (1 + rate). For $107 at 7%: $107 ÷ 1.07 = $100 pre-tax.
What is the sales tax in my state?
See the chart above. Rates range from 0% (OR, MT, NH, DE, AK) to 7.25% state (CA), with locals pushing to 11%+.
Do online stores charge sales tax?
Yes, in most cases. Post-2018 Wayfair ruling requires sales tax collection if the seller has economic nexus in your state.
Is sales tax deductible?
Sometimes. State and local sales tax can be deducted on federal returns if you itemize and it exceeds state income tax.
Next Steps for Tax Planning
- Sales Tax Calculator — Quick calculation
- Auto Loan Calculator — Vehicle sales tax
- Loan Calculator — Loan payments
- Auto Loan Guide — Auto financing
- APR Guide — True cost
Last updated October 2026. Tax rates change — verify with your state's revenue department.