Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate consumer sales tax for any US state or use a custom rate for specialized calculations.
Total Amount
$0.00
Net Amount
$0.00
Tax (7.25%)
$0.00
Did you know?
The 4.0% New York state tax is often combined with local taxes reaching up to 8.875% in NYC.
Understanding US Sales Tax
Sales tax in the United States is a complex, multi-tiered system. Unlike many countries that use a national Value Added Tax (VAT), the US relies on state and local governments to set and collect consumption taxes.
State vs. Local Sales Tax
Most states have a base tax rate (ranging from 2.9% in Colorado to 7.25% in California). However, cities and counties often add their own local taxes on top of the state rate. For example, while the New York state rate is 4%, the actual tax paid in NYC is 8.875% due to local additions.
States with No Sales Tax
Five US states do not impose a general sales tax at all. These are often remembered by the acronym NOMAD:
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
- Montana
- Alaska (though some local jurisdictions may charge a small tax)
- Delaware
How to Calculate Sales Tax
Calculating sales tax depends on whether the price is tax-exclusive (tax added on top) or tax-inclusive (tax already in the price).
- Tax Exclusive:
Total = Net Price × (1 + Tax Rate) - Tax Inclusive:
Net Price = Total Price / (1 + Tax Rate)
Our tool handles these calculations automatically. Simply select your state or enter a custom rate to see the breakdown instantly.