Finance

Sales Tax Calculator USA — Free 2026

Calculate sales tax for all 50 US states. Enter your purchase amount, pick your state, and see tax amount, total, and effective rate instantly.

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Sales Tax Breakdown

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Tax Amount
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Total With Tax
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Effective Rate
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Pre-Tax Amount

How It Works

  1. Enter the purchase amount
  2. Select your state or enter a custom rate
  3. Read your results
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Understanding US Sales Tax in 2026

Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and, in many cases, services. Unlike a value-added tax (VAT) used in most other countries, US sales tax is collected only at the final point of sale to the consumer. What makes it particularly complex is that rates vary not just by state, but by city, county, and even special taxing districts — meaning two stores a few miles apart can charge different tax rates.

How Sales Tax Rates Are Determined

Each state sets a base sales tax rate, which is what our calculator uses by default. On top of that, counties, cities, and special districts can add their own surcharges. For example, Texas has a 6.25% state rate, but many cities add up to 2%, bringing the combined rate to 8.25% in places like Houston and San Antonio. To account for your exact location, use the Custom Rate field to enter your actual combined rate. You can typically find your combined rate on your state's department of revenue website or on a recent receipt.

States With No Sales Tax

Five states charge no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Of these, Alaska is unique because it allows local jurisdictions to levy their own sales taxes — some Alaska cities charge rates up to 7.5%. Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no sales tax at any level. If you frequently shop across state lines or online, knowing which states are tax-free can help you plan larger purchases. For calculating discounts and savings, try our discount calculator.

Sales Tax on Online Purchases

Following the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, states can now require online retailers to collect sales tax even if the retailer has no physical presence in the state. This means most online purchases are now subject to sales tax based on the buyer's location. Major retailers like Amazon collect sales tax in all states that impose one. If you are budgeting for an online purchase, use this calculator to estimate the total cost including tax. For tipping after a meal, check out our tip calculator.

Tax-Exempt Items

Most states exempt certain categories from sales tax, though the specifics vary widely. Groceries are exempt in about 30 states, while clothing is exempt in states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and New York (for items under $110). Prescription medications are exempt in all states. Many states also hold sales tax holidays — typically before the school year starts — when clothing, school supplies, and computers are temporarily tax-free. These holidays can save families hundreds of dollars on back-to-school shopping.

For informational purposes only. State base rates shown; local taxes may apply. Consult your state's revenue department for exact combined rates.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which US states have no sales tax?
Five US states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, Alaska allows local municipalities to impose their own sales taxes, so some areas in Alaska do charge sales tax at the local level. The other four states have no sales tax at any level.
What is the highest sales tax rate in the US?
California has the highest state base sales tax rate at 7.25%. However, when you include local taxes, the combined rate can be much higher. Some areas in Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas have combined state and local rates exceeding 10%. The highest combined rates in the US can reach 11-12% in certain municipalities.
Is sales tax calculated on the pre-discount or post-discount price?
In nearly all US states, sales tax is calculated on the actual price paid by the consumer — that is, the post-discount price. If an item originally costs $100 and is on sale for $80, sales tax applies to the $80 amount. However, manufacturer coupons can be treated differently in some states.
How do I calculate sales tax from a total?
To find the pre-tax price from a total that includes tax, divide the total by (1 + tax rate as a decimal). For example, if you paid $107 total and the tax rate is 7%, the pre-tax price is $107 / 1.07 = $100, and the tax amount is $7. Our calculator includes a reverse calculation that shows the pre-tax amount automatically.

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