Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate the sales tax on your purchases. Enter the pre-tax amount and tax rate to find the total cost including sales tax.
Tax Summary
Tax Rate Information
Quick State Tax Rates
Understanding Sales Tax
Sales tax is a consumption tax charged on the sale of goods and services. It's calculated as a percentage of the purchase price and added to the total cost. Sales tax rates vary by state, county, and sometimes city or district.
How Sales Tax Works
The Basic Formula
Sales Tax = Purchase Price × Tax Rate
Total Cost = Purchase Price + Sales Tax
Purchase Price
The pre-tax cost of goods/services
Does not include shipping or handling
May exclude certain items
Tax Rate
State sales tax rate
Plus local tax rates
Combined rate applied to purchase
State Sales Tax Rates
| State | State Rate | Avg. Local Rate | Combined Rate | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 6.00% | 1.25% | 7.25% | 1 |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | 2.47% | 9.47% | 2 |
| Arizona | 5.60% | 2.77% | 8.37% | 3 |
| Louisiana | 4.45% | 5.00% | 9.45% | 4 |
| Washington | 6.50% | 2.67% | 9.17% | 5 |
Taxable vs. Non-Taxable Items
Taxable Items
- Clothing and accessories
- Electronics and appliances
- Furniture and home goods
- Books and magazines
- Most personal services
Non-Taxable Items
- Groceries (in most states)
- Prescription drugs
- Medical equipment
- Some utilities
- Educational materials
Sales Tax Holidays
Many states offer sales tax holidays where certain items are exempt from sales tax for a limited time. These are often scheduled around back-to-school shopping, disaster relief, or energy efficiency purchases.
| State | Holiday Period | Exempt Items | Max Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | Aug 9-11 | School supplies, clothing | $100 |
| Florida | Aug 2-4 | School supplies | $50 |
| Georgia | Aug 8-10 | School supplies, computers | $1,000 |
Online Shopping and Sales Tax
Online purchases may be subject to sales tax based on your shipping address. The Supreme Court's 2018 decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair allows states to collect sales tax from online retailers even if they don't have a physical presence in the state.
Use Tax
Use tax applies when you purchase items out of state or online without paying sales tax. It's essentially the same rate as sales tax and is due when you file your state income tax return.
Key Takeaways
- Sales tax rates vary by state and locality
- Some items are exempt from sales tax
- Online purchases may be subject to sales tax
- Use tax applies to out-of-state purchases
- Sales tax holidays offer temporary exemptions
- Always check local tax rates for accuracy
- Tax rates can change, so verify current rates
- Some states have no sales tax (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon)