Precision Utility
US Sales Tax
Calculator
Highest State
CA 7.25%
No-Tax States
5
Quickly calculate sales tax for any US state. Enter a price, select your state and see the tax amount, total price and effective rate instantly. Switch between adding tax to a pre-tax price or removing tax from a tax-inclusive total.
Tax Parameters
Tax Amount
$0.00
Subtotal
$0.00
Tax Amount
$0.00
Total
$0.00
State Rate
0%
US state sales tax rates
Sales tax rates vary significantly across the United States. Each state sets its own base rate, and many allow cities and counties to add local taxes on top. Here are some notable state rates:
- California — 7.25% (highest statewide rate)
- New Jersey — 6.625%
- Texas — 6.25%
- Illinois — 6.25%
- Florida — 6%
- Pennsylvania — 6%
- Ohio — 5.75%
- North Carolina — 4.75%
- New York — 4% (but combined rates often exceed 8% with NYC local taxes)
- Georgia — 4%
Five states have no statewide sales tax: Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska (though Alaska allows local jurisdictions to levy their own).
Combined sales tax rates — state plus local
The rate you see on a receipt is usually the combined rate — the state base rate plus any local taxes from your city, county or special district. Combined rates can be significantly higher than the statewide base.
Examples of high combined rates:
- Los Angeles, CA — 9.5% (7.25% state + 2.25% local)
- Chicago, IL — 10.25% (6.25% state + 4% local)
- New York City, NY — 8.875% (4% state + 4.875% local)
- Seattle, WA — 10.25% (6.5% state + 3.75% local)
- Dallas, TX — 8.25% (6.25% state + 2% local)
This calculator uses state base rates. For the exact combined rate in your area, check your state's department of revenue or your most recent receipt.
What items are exempt from sales tax?
Most states exempt certain categories of goods from sales tax. The specifics vary by state, but common exemptions include:
- Groceries (unprepared food) — exempt in most states, though some like Alabama and Mississippi tax them at full rate
- Prescription medications — exempt in all states that have sales tax
- Clothing — exempt in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minnesota and New York (under $110 per item)
- Medical devices — generally exempt across most states
- Digital goods — treatment varies widely; some states tax downloads, others don't
Many states also hold sales tax holidays — typically a weekend in August before school starts — where clothing, school supplies and sometimes electronics are temporarily exempt from tax.
How the sales tax calculator works
Enter the price of the item or purchase. Select your state from the dropdown — the calculator uses the state's base sales tax rate.
Choose the direction:
- Add Tax — the price you entered is the pre-tax amount. The calculator adds sales tax to show you the total you'll pay at the register.
- Remove Tax — the price you entered is the tax-inclusive total. The calculator works backwards to show the original pre-tax price and the tax portion.
The Add Tax formula is: Tax = Price x Rate. The Remove Tax formula is: Subtotal = Total / (1 + Rate), then Tax = Total - Subtotal.
Frequently asked questions
Which US states have no sales tax?
Five US states have no statewide sales tax: Oregon, Montana, Delaware, New Hampshire, and Alaska. However, Alaska allows local jurisdictions to levy their own sales taxes, so some areas in Alaska do charge sales tax.
What is the highest state sales tax rate?
California has the highest statewide sales tax rate at 7.25%. When combined with local taxes, effective rates in California can exceed 10% in some cities and counties.
What is the difference between state and combined sales tax?
State sales tax is the base rate set by the state government. Combined sales tax includes both the state rate and any additional local taxes (city, county, district). The combined rate is what you actually pay at the register.
Are groceries taxed in the US?
It varies by state. Most states exempt unprepared groceries from sales tax. However, states like Alabama, Mississippi, and South Dakota tax groceries at the full rate. Some states tax groceries at a reduced rate.
What items are typically exempt from sales tax?
Common sales tax exemptions include unprepared food/groceries, prescription medications, and medical devices. Some states also exempt clothing (e.g. Pennsylvania, New Jersey) or have periodic tax-free shopping holidays.
How do I calculate sales tax backwards (tax-inclusive)?
To remove tax from a total price, divide by (1 + tax rate). For example, if the total is $107.25 and the tax rate is 7.25%, the pre-tax price is $107.25 / 1.0725 = $100.00 and the tax portion is $7.25.
Do online purchases have sales tax?
Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, states can require online retailers to collect sales tax even if they have no physical presence in the state. Most major online retailers now collect sales tax in all states that have one.
What is a use tax?
A use tax applies when you purchase an item from a state with no sales tax (or a lower rate) and use it in your home state. It is typically the same rate as your state's sales tax. Technically, consumers are required to self-report and pay use tax on their state tax return.