Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price or extract the tax from a tax-inclusive total.
Please note: Rates vary by jurisdiction and item type. Enter the rate that applies to your location and purchase.
What the Sales Tax Calculator does
Sales tax is added at the point of purchase in most of the United States, so listed prices usually exclude it. Rates combine state, county and city components and vary considerably even within a single state.
Formula
Adding: Total = Net × (1 + Rate)Removing: Net = Gross ÷ (1 + Rate)Tax = Gross − Net
Inputs explained
| Input | Unit | Required | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Amount | selected currency | Yes | Accepts more than 0. |
| Sales tax rate | % | Yes | — |
| Calculation | one of 2 options | Yes | — |
| Currency | one of 10 options | Optional | — |
How to use it
- Choose Calculation and Currency.
- Enter Amount and Sales tax rate.
- Select Calculate.
Worked example
A $250 purchase with 8.25% sales tax.
- Amount
- 250
- Rate
- 8.25
- Mode
- Add
Tax $20.63, total $270.63.
Frequently asked questions
Why can I not just subtract the rate to remove tax?
Because the tax was calculated on the smaller net figure. Removing 8.25% from a gross price means dividing by 1.0825, not multiplying by 0.9175.
Is sales tax the same everywhere?
No. It varies by state and locality, and some items — groceries, medicine, clothing in some states — are exempt or taxed at a reduced rate.