Free US Sales Tax Calculator
There is no federal sales tax in the United States. Instead, sales tax is set by states, and often stacked with county, city and special district rates on top, which is why the same product can cost a different amount in tax two towns apart. This calculator applies a combined rate you enter to a price so you can see the tax due and the total instantly.
Results
- Pre-tax amount92.6%
- Sales tax7.4%
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates only and does not constitute tax advice. Rates and thresholds change; confirm the current figures with your tax authority or accountant.
What the US Sales Tax Calculator does
US sales tax is a consumption tax charged on the sale of most goods and some services, collected by the seller at the point of sale and remitted to the relevant state and local tax authorities. It is destination-based in most states, meaning the rate that applies is generally the rate where the buyer takes delivery, not where the seller is located.
Methodology and formula
Sales tax due = Price x (Combined tax rate / 100); Total price = Price x (1 + Combined tax rate / 100), where Combined tax rate = State rate + County rate + City rate + Special district rate.
Worked example
- Inputs
- Price 250; state rate 6.25%; county rate 1%; city rate 1%; no special district.
- Result
- Combined rate 8.25%; sales tax due 20.63; total price 270.63.
The same $250 item sold across the state line where the combined rate is only 6% would carry $15 in tax instead of $20.63, a difference that comes entirely from local add-on rates rather than the state rate itself.
When to use this tool
Use this calculator to check the tax due on a specific sale once you know the applicable combined rate. Use the Invoice Generator to put that tax line on a customer-facing document, and the Product Pricing Calculator when you need to build a sell price before tax is even added.
About the US Sales Tax Calculator
Why sales tax rates differ by address, not just by state
Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon) charge no statewide sales tax, though Alaska allows local sales taxes. Everywhere else, the state rate is only the starting point: counties, cities and special taxing districts (transit, stadium, tourism) can each add their own percentage. Two addresses a few blocks apart, one inside a city limit and one outside it, can carry meaningfully different combined rates, which is why destination-based calculation matters for any business shipping across state lines.
Origin-based vs destination-based sourcing
Most states use destination-based sourcing: the rate charged is based on where the buyer receives the goods. A handful of states, including Texas and Arizona, use origin-based sourcing for in-state sales, where the seller's location sets the rate. Remote sellers crossing state lines almost always apply destination-based rules under the rules set by the buyer's state following the Supreme Court's Wayfair decision.
Economic nexus and when you must start collecting
Since South Dakota v. Wayfair (2018), states can require an out-of-state seller to collect sales tax once it crosses a sales or transaction threshold in that state, commonly $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions a year, though thresholds vary by state. Track your sales by state; crossing a threshold typically creates an obligation to register, collect and file even without a physical presence there.
What is usually exempt
Common exemptions include most unprepared groceries, prescription medication, and resale purchases covered by a valid resale certificate, though exact rules vary significantly by state. Services are taxed inconsistently: some states tax very few services, others tax a broad range including digital products and software as a service. Always confirm the taxability of your specific product or service with the destination state before pricing it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a federal sales tax rate I should start from?
Which state's rate applies to an online sale shipped out of state?
Do I charge sales tax on shipping charges?
What is economic nexus and does it apply to me?
Can I back out the pre-tax price from a tax-inclusive total?
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