Understanding Your Sales Tax Calculation

A sales tax calculator helps estimate the amount of sales tax added to a purchase and the total price after tax. The calculation is based on the purchase price and the applicable sales tax rate.

Because sales tax rates can vary by state and local jurisdiction, knowing the rate that applies to your purchase is important. Once you have the appropriate rate, the calculator can quickly show how much tax may be added to the original price.
 

Why Use a Sales Tax Calculator?

A sales tax calculator can be useful when budgeting for a purchase and you want to know the approximate final cost before reaching the checkout. This can be especially helpful for larger purchases where sales tax can add a noticeable amount to the total.

It can also help you separate the tax from the purchase price, compare costs using different tax rates, or simply double-check the sales tax calculation on a receipt.
 

Simple Example

Suppose you're purchasing an item that costs $200 and the applicable sales tax rate is 7.5%. The estimated sales tax would be $15, bringing the total purchase price to $215.

If the applicable rate were higher or lower, you could simply change the percentage in the calculator to see how it affects the estimated total.
 

Frequently Asked Questions
 

How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price before tax by the sales tax rate expressed as a decimal. For example, a 7.25% tax rate would be entered as 7.25.
 

Where can I find my sales tax rate?
Sales tax rates vary by state, county, and city. Your receipt or local government website may show the applicable rate.
 

Can I enter a rate with decimals?
Yes. You can enter rates such as 6.5, 7.25, or 8.75.
 

Does this calculator account for tax-exempt items?
No. It assumes the entire purchase price is taxable.

Disclaimer: Sales tax results are estimates only. Actual tax rates and taxability may vary by state, locality, product, and transaction.