Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax instantly for any US state. Enter your purchase amount and select your state to see the exact tax amount and total price. Perfect for budgeting, online shopping, and comparing costs across state lines.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter the item price in the first field (before tax).
- 2Select your state from the dropdown menu.
- 3Click "Calculate Tax" to see the sales tax amount and total price.
- 4The calculator shows step-by-step breakdown of the calculation.
Common Use Cases
- Online Shopping: Calculate final price before checkout, based on your delivery address
- Budget Planning: Know exactly how much you will pay including tax for major purchases
- Cross-Border Shopping: Compare costs between states with different tax rates
- Business Expenses: Calculate tax-deductible sales tax for business purchases
The Sales Tax Formula
This calculator uses these standard formulas:
- • Sales Tax Amount: Price × (Tax Rate ÷ 100)
- • Total Price: Price + Sales Tax Amount
Example: $100 item in California (7.25%): $100 × 0.0725 = $7.25 tax. Total = $107.25
Understanding Sales Tax in the United States
Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and services. Unlike a federal sales tax, each state sets its own rate, creating a patchwork of tax rates across the country. Understanding how sales tax works can help you budget better, find the best deals, and avoid surprises at checkout.
Why Sales Tax Varies by State
The United States does not have a national sales tax. Instead, each state independently decides whether to impose a sales tax and at what rate. As of 2025, 45 states and the District of Columbia have a statewide sales tax, while five states—Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon—do not. Even within states that do have sales tax, local jurisdictions (cities and counties) can add their own taxes on top of the state rate, leading to significant variations.
States with the Highest and Lowest Sales Tax
California leads with the highest state sales tax rate at 7.25%, followed by Indiana, Mississippi, Rhode Island, and Tennessee at 7%. On the other end of the spectrum, Colorado has the lowest state rate at 2.9%, with Hawaii, Georgia, Louisiana, and New York also keeping rates at or below 4%. However, when local taxes are included, the total rate can be significantly higher or vary substantially within the same state.
Online Shopping and Sales Tax
The rules for online sales tax changed significantly following the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair. Today, most online retailers are required to collect sales tax based on the customer's delivery address, regardless of where the company is located. This means you will generally pay the same tax shopping online as you would in a local store. Some retailers may not collect tax if they fall below certain sales thresholds, but this is becoming increasingly rare.
Common Sales Tax Exemptions
Not all purchases are subject to sales tax. Most states exempt groceries (unprepared food items), prescription medications, and medical devices. Many also exempt educational materials, certain clothing items under price thresholds, and services (as opposed to goods). Some states have annual sales tax holidays, typically in August, where specific items like school supplies, clothing, and computers are temporarily exempt to help families prepare for the school year.
Want to Learn More?
Read our comprehensive guide to sales tax, including detailed rate tables, exemption lists, and budgeting tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
To calculate sales tax, multiply the item price by your state's sales tax rate (as a decimal). For example, for a $100 item in California (7.25% tax rate): $100 × 0.0725 = $7.25 tax. The total price would be $107.25.
Which states have no sales tax?
Five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, Alaska and Montana may have local sales taxes in certain jurisdictions.
What state has the highest sales tax?
California has the highest state sales tax rate at 7.25%. However, when combined with local taxes, some areas in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Louisiana can have combined rates exceeding 9.5%.
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
Yes, following the 2018 Supreme Court decision in South Dakota v. Wayfair, most online retailers now charge sales tax based on your delivery address, regardless of where the company is located.
What items are exempt from sales tax?
Common exemptions include groceries (unprepared food), prescription medications, medical devices, and educational materials. Exemptions vary by state, so check your local tax authority for specific rules.
About This Tool
Created by the Calculatify team. We review and update our calculators regularly to ensure accuracy and usefulness. Sales tax rates are based on official state tax authority data as of 2025. Last reviewed: February 2026.
Note: Local jurisdictions may add additional taxes on top of state rates. This calculator uses state-level rates only. Always verify with local authorities for precise calculations.