This sales tax calculator adds sales tax to a price or works backward from a receipt total to find the price before tax. Enter your combined state and local rate, or GST, HST or VAT for other countries.
Sales tax formulas
Tax = price × tax rate and total = price × (1 + tax rate)
Reverse sales tax: price before tax = total ÷ (1 + tax rate)
Worked example
A $100 purchase at an 8.25% combined rate has $8.25 of tax, for a total of $108.25. Working backward, a $108.25 receipt at 8.25% means the price before tax was $100.
Sales tax in the US
US sales tax is set by states, and many counties and cities add their own rate, so the combined rate depends on your exact location. Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon, although some Alaska localities charge one. Look up your combined rate on your state revenue department’s website.
Consumption taxes in other countries
| Country | Tax | Standard rate |
|---|---|---|
| Canada | GST, or HST in participating provinces | 5% GST; HST from 13% to 15% |
| Australia | GST | 10% |
| United Kingdom | VAT | 20% (reduced rates on some goods) |
Some Canadian provinces add their own provincial sales tax to the 5% GST instead of using HST.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal. At 7%, tax on $50 is $50 × 0.07 = $3.50, for a total of $53.50.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. A $53.50 total at 7% was $53.50 ÷ 1.07 = $50 before tax.
Which US states have no sales tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax, though some local areas in Alaska charge one.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
Both are taxes on spending. US sales tax is collected once at the final sale, while VAT is collected at each stage of production and sale, with businesses reclaiming the VAT they pay.
Can I deduct sales tax on my US tax return?
If you itemize, you can choose to deduct state and local sales taxes instead of state income taxes, within the overall state and local tax deduction limit.
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Last reviewed: October 2026. This calculator is for education only and is not financial, tax or legal advice.