Sales tax calculator: tax, total and price before tax
Enter the price and the combined sales tax rate for the place of purchase. $100 at 8.25% is $8.25 in tax, for a total of $108.25. To find the price before tax from a total, divide the total by 1 plus the rate.
Inputs used by this calculator
Sales Tax Calculator uses the fields below. The starting values reproduce the page example; replace them with values from the same units and time period before using the result.
| Input | Starting example | Accepted value | How it is used |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price before tax | 100 | 0 or greater | Supplies the price before tax quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
| Tax rate (%) | 8.25 | 0 to 100 | Supplies the tax rate (%) quantity used by the published equation or result breakdown. |
How sales tax is calculated
Multiply the taxable price by the rate as a decimal. At 8.25%, the tax on $100 is 100 × 0.0825 = $8.25 and the total is $108.25. The calculator uses the rate you enter, so use the combined rate for the store's location.
tax = price × rate ÷ 100total = price + taxCombined state and local rates
There is no federal sales tax in the United States. States set their own sales taxes, and counties and cities can add local rates, so the rate at the register is often the sum of several. Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax, although some Alaska localities charge one. USA.gov links to each state's tax agency.
Finding the price before tax
If you only know the total on a receipt, divide it by 1 plus the rate. A $108.25 total at 8.25% had a price of 108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100. The table below shows this reverse calculation for a $100 total at several rates.
price = total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100)What is taxable
States decide which goods and services are taxed. Groceries, clothing, prescription drugs, services and shipping charges are treated differently from state to state, and some states hold sales tax holidays. Check the state's rules when an item may be exempt.
Discounts and coupons
Store discounts usually reduce the taxable price, while the treatment of manufacturer coupons and rebates varies by state. For a sale price with tax, the Percent Off Calculator applies the discount first and then the tax.
Sales tax and your income tax return
If you itemize deductions on Schedule A, the IRS lets you choose to deduct state and local general sales taxes instead of state and local income taxes. Keep receipts for large purchases if you plan to use that option.
Sales tax on $100 at common rates
| Rate | Tax on $100 | Total | Price inside a $100 total |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4% | $4.00 | $104.00 | $96.15 |
| 6% | $6.00 | $106.00 | $94.34 |
| 7.25% | $7.25 | $107.25 | $93.24 |
| 8.25% | $8.25 | $108.25 | $92.38 |
| 10% | $10.00 | $110.00 | $90.91 |
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the rate and divide by 100, then add it to the price for the total.
What is 8.25% sales tax on $100?
$8.25, for a total of $108.25.
How do I find the price before tax?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal: $108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100.
Is there a federal sales tax?
No. Sales taxes are set by states and local governments.
Which states have no statewide sales tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon; some Alaska localities add their own.
Is shipping taxed?
It depends on the state and on how the charge is listed.
Can I deduct sales tax?
If you itemize, the IRS lets you deduct state and local sales taxes instead of income taxes.
What to keep in mind
Enter the applicable combined rate. This tool does not look up local tax rules.
Results are rounded for display in US format, with money in dollars and cents; CSV exports keep full calculation precision. This is a calculation summary, not an official certificate.