Why Use This Calculator?
US sales tax is added at the register, which makes reverse math surprisingly common: sellers price tax-included, freelancers quote net, and online sellers need the tax line separated. This tool runs the math both directions with one input each.
Rates range from 0% in a handful of states to over 9% in some cities once local add-ons stack, so enter your exact combined rate rather than guessing.
How It Works
- Add mode: enter a pre-tax price and the rate to get the tax and total.
- Reverse mode: enter a tax-included total to recover the net price and the tax inside it.
- Use your exact combined state + local rate for accurate results.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is my sales tax rate?
It's state tax plus any county and city add-ons. Combine them — for example 6% state + 2% county = 8% — and enter the total. Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon) have no state sales tax.
How do I reverse sales tax out of a total?
Use the reverse mode: a tax-included total is divided by (1 + rate), not multiplied. That's why the tax inside $108.25 at 8.25% is $8.25 exactly, not $8.93.
Does sales tax apply to shipping?
It varies — many states tax shipping when the item is also taxable. Check your state's Department of Revenue guidance for the specifics.
Tips & Things to Watch
- Reverse mode is the one people get wrong: dividing beats multiplying when removing tax.
- Keep your combined rate handy — most purchases in one area use the same number.
- Online marketplace tax rules changed after 2018; marketplace-collected tax shows on the receipt.