Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a price, or work backward from a total that already includes tax to find the price and the tax. Enter your local rate and get the answer instantly.
The formulas
- Adding tax: tax = price × rate, total = price + tax
- Removing tax: price = total ÷ (1 + rate), tax = total − price
Example. A $249.99 item at 6% tax: tax is $15.00 and the total is $264.99. Going the other way, a $264.99 total at 6% comes back to $249.99 before tax.
Things to check
- Enter your combined state, county, and city rate. Rates vary by location, and some items are exempt.
- Do not subtract the tax percentage from the total to back it out. Divide by 1 plus the rate instead; subtracting 6% from $264.99 gives the wrong price.
- Businesses charging sales tax should confirm rules with their state revenue department. This calculator is arithmetic, not tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate written as a decimal. At 6%, multiply by 0.06. Add the result to the price for the total.
How do I take sales tax out of a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. For a total of $264.99 at 6%, divide by 1.06 to get a pre-tax price of $249.99.
What rate should I use?
Use the combined rate for the place the sale is taxed, which depends on your state and sometimes the city or county. Your state revenue department publishes rates.
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Calculators give estimates from the numbers you enter. They are not tax, legal, or accounting advice.