Sales tax is added at the register, but the number you actually want is usually the price before tax or the total you will pay. This calculator gives you both from a single rate.
Enter the amount, type in the tax rate you are charged, and choose whether that amount is the price before tax or a total that already includes it. Press Compute for the pre-tax amount, the tax itself, and the final total.
Most US buyers pay a combined rate — the state base plus county, city or special-district additions — so use the rate printed on your receipt or invoice rather than the statewide figure when it matters.
For informational purposes only — not financial advice.
How to use
- Enter the price or the tax-inclusive total.
- Enter the sales tax rate you are charged — 6% is a common state base.
- Choose whether your amount is pre-tax or already includes tax.
- Press Compute to see the pre-tax amount, the tax and the total.
- For an exact receipt figure, use your combined local rate with its decimals.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate sales tax?
Multiply the pre-tax price by the rate divided by 100. A $100 item at 6% carries $6 of tax, for a total of $106. That is the whole calculation, and it is what this tool does.
What is the difference between sales tax and VAT?
Sales tax is added once at the point of sale and shown separately on the receipt. VAT is built into the displayed price at every stage of the supply chain, so shoppers in VAT countries see a single tax-inclusive price.
Which rate should I enter?
Enter the combined rate you are actually charged, because counties, cities and special districts layer their own rates on the state base. Your receipt or your local tax authority's rate table will have the exact figure.
Can sales tax apply to services?
In some states yes, and it varies widely — repairs, consulting, subscriptions and digital goods are taxed in some places and exempt in others. Check your state's rules for the specific thing you are selling or buying.
How do I check whether a receipt charged the right tax?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal to recover the pre-tax amount, then compare that against the advertised price. If they match, the tax on the receipt is correct.
Does this calculator round like a register does?
It rounds the tax and the total to the nearest cent, which is what a receipt normally shows. Register-level rounding rules can differ by a cent on some line items, so treat the result as an exact-enough check.