Sales Tax Calculator

About this sales tax calculator

Sales tax in the US is set by states, counties and cities, so the combined rate depends on where a sale happens. In Texas, for example, the state rate is 6.25% and local jurisdictions can add up to 2%, for a combined maximum of 8.25%. This calculator adds tax to a price or removes it from a total, so you can price products, check receipts or report taxable sales.

Removing tax is a common mistake: you can't just subtract the rate from the total. The pre-tax price is the total divided by (1 + rate).

How to use the Sales Tax Calculator

1. Choose whether to add tax or remove it.
2. Enter the price or the tax-inclusive total.
3. Enter the combined tax rate for the location.
4. Read the tax amount and the total or pre-tax price.

Sales tax formulas

Total = Price × (1 + rate)  ·  Pre-tax = Total ÷ (1 + rate)

The tax amount is the difference between the total and the pre-tax price. Some items, such as many groceries and prescription drugs, are exempt in many states.

Worked example

A $100 item at 8.25% tax costs $108.25. Working backward, a $108.25 receipt contains 108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100 before tax and $8.25 of tax. (Subtracting 8.25% of $108.25 would wrongly give $99.32.)

Tips for better results

• Look up the exact combined rate for an address on your state comptroller's or revenue department's website.
• Businesses should record tax collected separately from sales revenue.

Frequently asked questions

Last reviewed: October 2026 · Results are calculated in your browser.