Sales tax is a percentage added to the price at checkout: tax = price × rate, and the total is price × (1 + rate). A $120 purchase at Washington's 9.57% average combined rate carries $11.48 of tax, for a total of $131.48. To go the other way and find the pre-tax price inside a tax-included total, divide by (1 + rate). Subtracting the rate from the total gives the wrong answer.
The state list uses the Tax Foundation's July 1, 2026 table of state rates and population-weighted average local rates. Your actual rate depends on the city, county and special district where the sale happens, so enter your exact rate if you know it.
How to use the sales tax calculator
- Choose whether you have a pre-tax price or a total that already includes tax.
- Enter the amount.
- Pick your state to use its average combined state + local rate, or choose "Enter my own rate".
- If you know the exact rate at your address or the store’s location, type it in the optional box. It overrides the average.
Formula
Worked example
$120 before tax in Washington at the 9.57% average combined rate.
- Tax: 120 × 0.0957 = $11.48.
- Total: $131.48.
Reverse: a receipt total of $54.13 at 8.25%. Price = 54.13 ÷ 1.0825 = $50.00, and the tax is $4.13. Taking 8.25% of $54.13 ($4.47) and subtracting it would understate the price.
Average combined sales tax rates by state (July 1, 2026)
From the Tax Foundation's midyear 2026 table. Five states have no statewide sales tax (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon), and of those only Alaska allows local sales taxes. The nationwide population-weighted average combined rate is 7.53%.
| State | State rate | Avg. combined rate |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | 5.00% | 10.13% |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | 9.61% |
| Washington | 6.50% | 9.57% |
| Arkansas | 6.50% | 9.48% |
| Alabama | 4.00% | 9.46% |
| Oklahoma | 4.50% | 9.06% |
| California | 7.25% | 9.03% |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 8.98% |
| Kansas | 6.50% | 8.71% |
| Arizona | 5.60% | 8.54% |
| New York | 4.00% | 8.54% |
| Missouri | 4.23% | 8.44% |
| Nevada | 6.85% | 8.24% |
| Texas | 6.25% | 8.20% |
| Minnesota | 6.88% | 8.14% |
| Colorado | 2.90% | 7.89% |
| New Mexico | 4.88% | 7.68% |
| Georgia | 4.00% | 7.56% |
| South Carolina | 6.00% | 7.49% |
| Utah | 6.10% | 7.42% |
| Ohio | 5.75% | 7.29% |
| North Carolina | 4.75% | 7.10% |
| North Dakota | 5.00% | 7.09% |
| Mississippi | 7.00% | 7.06% |
| Indiana | 7.00% | 7.00% |
| Rhode Island | 7.00% | 7.00% |
| Florida | 6.00% | 6.98% |
| Nebraska | 5.50% | 6.98% |
| Iowa | 6.00% | 6.94% |
| New Jersey | 6.63% | 6.60% |
| West Virginia | 6.00% | 6.60% |
| Vermont | 6.00% | 6.43% |
| Connecticut | 6.35% | 6.35% |
| Pennsylvania | 6.00% | 6.34% |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% | 6.25% |
| South Dakota | 4.20% | 6.11% |
| Idaho | 6.00% | 6.03% |
| District of Columbia | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| Kentucky | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| Maryland | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| Michigan | 6.00% | 6.00% |
| Virginia | 5.30% | 5.77% |
| Wisconsin | 5.00% | 5.72% |
| Maine | 5.50% | 5.50% |
| Wyoming | 4.00% | 5.39% |
| Hawaii | 4.00% | 4.50% |
| Alaska | 0.00% | 1.82% |
| Delaware | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Montana | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| New Hampshire | 0.00% | 0.00% |
| Oregon | 0.00% | 0.00% |
Many states exempt or reduce tax on groceries, clothing or prescription drugs, and some tax services, so the rate on a specific item can differ. Stacking a store discount before tax? Use the discount calculator, which applies tax after the discount.
Sales tax on common amounts
| Price | at 6% | at 8% | at 10% |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | $1.20 | $1.60 | $2.00 |
| $50 | $3.00 | $4.00 | $5.00 |
| $100 | $6.00 | $8.00 | $10.00 |
| $500 | $30.00 | $40.00 | $50.00 |
Which items are taxable (groceries, clothing, shipping) and the exact local rate depend on the state and locality, so check your receipt or your state revenue department for a specific purchase.
Caveats and assumptions
- Average combined rates are population-weighted averages; your local rate may be higher or lower.
- Taxability of groceries, clothing, digital goods and services varies by state.
- Rates change; check your state revenue department for the current rate at a specific address.
- Results are rounded to the cent; retailers may round tax per item or per invoice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal. $120 × 0.0957 = $11.48 of tax.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. At 8.25%, $54.13 ÷ 1.0825 = $50.00 before tax.
Which states have no sales tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax. Alaska allows local sales taxes.
Which state has the highest combined sales tax?
In the Tax Foundation’s July 2026 table, Louisiana has the highest average combined rate at 10.13%, followed by Tennessee at 9.61% and Washington at 9.57%.
What is the average sales tax rate in the US?
The population-weighted average combined state and local rate was 7.53% as of July 1, 2026, according to the Tax Foundation.
How do I add 8% sales tax to a price?
Multiply the price by 1.08. $50 × 1.08 = $54.00, of which $4.00 is tax.
Is sales tax charged on shipping?
It depends on the state and how the charge is listed on the invoice. Check your state revenue department.
Sources
- Tax Foundation — State and Local Sales Tax Rates, Midyear 2026 — state, average local and combined rates as of July 1, 2026
- OpenStax Prealgebra 2e — 6.2 Solve General Applications of Percent — sales tax as a percent of price
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — CPI FAQ (taxes in the CPI) — sales taxes are part of consumer prices
This calculator gives estimates for planning and education only. It is not financial, tax or investment advice. Your lender, card issuer, employer or tax authority uses its own terms, fees and rounding, so confirm figures with them before deciding. See our disclaimer and how we build and check calculators.