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Sales Tax Calculator by State

Add sales tax to a price or remove tax from a total. Updated 2026 combined state + local rates for all 50 states and DC.

By Sammy S. · Founder · AuthorUpdated for 2026

Add or Remove Tax
All 50 States + DC
Instant Results
5 With No Statewide Tax

How it works

1

Pick a mode

Add tax to a pre-tax price, or remove tax from a total you already paid.

2

Enter amount & state

Use quick amounts or type any value. Select a state for 2026 combined rates, or Custom rate for a city-specific percent.

3

Read results

See total with tax, pre-tax price, tax dollars, and effective rate. Zero-tax states show a clear notice.

How to use this sales tax calculator

Choose Add tax or Remove tax, enter an amount, and pick your state (or a custom rate). The calculator applies 2026 combined state + average local rates so you can see total with tax, pre-tax price, and tax amount instantly.

Your inputs

Mode, amount, and state rate

Enter the pre-tax price to get the total you'll pay.

$

Combined state + avg local rate. Actual rate may vary by city.

Total with tax

Pre-tax price plus sales tax at 9.03%

$109.03

Pre-tax price

$100.00

Tax added

$9.03

Effective rate9.03%

How this was calculated

Adding tax to a pre-tax price

Tax = Price × Rate

$100.00 × 0.0903 = $9.03

Total = Price + Tax

$100.00 + $9.03 = $109.03

How the calculation works
Add or remove tax formulas

Adding tax

Tax = Price × Rate

$100 at 8% → $108 total

Removing tax

Pre-tax = Total ÷ (1 + Rate)

$108 at 8% → $100 pre-tax

Zero-tax states
0
AlaskaLocal tax allowed (up to ~7%)
0
DelawareNo sales tax at all
0
MontanaNo sales tax at all
0
New HampshireNo sales tax at all
0
OregonNo sales tax at all
Highest combined rates
2026 state + avg local
1.Louisiana10.13%
2.Tennessee9.61%
3.Washington9.57%
4.Arkansas9.48%
5.Alabama9.46%
Lowest combined rates
Excludes zero-tax states
1.Alaska1.82%
2.Hawaii4.5%
3.Wyoming5.39%
4.Maine5.5%
5.Wisconsin5.72%
Sales Tax by StateUS Paycheck Calculator

US state sales tax rates (2026)

Combined state + average local rates. Sorted highest to lowest. Actual rate varies by city/county — verify with your local tax authority. Five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon.

StateCombined rate
Louisiana10.13%
Tennessee9.61%
Washington9.57%
Arkansas9.48%
Alabama9.46%
Oklahoma9.06%
California9.03%
Illinois8.98%
Kansas8.71%
Arizona8.54%
New York8.54%
Missouri8.44%
Nevada8.24%
Texas8.2%
Minnesota8.14%
Colorado7.89%
New Mexico7.68%
Georgia7.56%
South Carolina7.49%
Utah7.42%
Ohio7.29%
North Carolina7.1%
North Dakota7.09%
Mississippi7.06%
Indiana7%
Rhode Island7%
Florida6.98%
Nebraska6.98%
Iowa6.94%
New Jersey6.6%
West Virginia6.6%
Vermont6.43%
Connecticut6.35%
Pennsylvania6.34%
Massachusetts6.25%
South Dakota6.11%
Idaho6.03%
Kentucky6%
Maryland6%
Michigan6%
District of Columbia6%
Virginia5.77%
Wisconsin5.72%
Maine5.5%
Wyoming5.39%
Hawaii4.5%
Alaska1.82%
Delaware0% — No tax
Montana0% — No tax
New Hampshire0% — No tax
Oregon0% — No tax

Source: Tax Foundation "State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026" (January 2026); sales-tax.net 2026 data. Rates reflect population-weighted combined state + local averages as of January 1, 2026.

Understanding Sales Tax

Highest sales tax states

Louisiana (10.13%) leads as of July 2026, followed by Tennessee (9.61%), Washington (9.57%), Arkansas (9.48%), and Alabama (9.46%). These population-weighted combined rates include significant local taxes layered on top of state rates.

July 2026 midyear update

Tax Foundation reports no statewide rate changes between January and July 2026. Midyear combined-rate changes came mainly from local adjustments, with increases in North Carolina, Georgia, Washington, California, and Vermont. Wyoming was the only state with a reported combined-rate decrease. The nationwide population-weighted combined average is 7.53%.

How to remove sales tax from a total

When you know the final price you paid (including tax) and want the pre-tax price — for an expense report, reimbursement, or bookkeeping — divide the total by (1 + rate).

Pre-tax price = Total ÷ (1 + tax rate as decimal)

Example: $108.00 ÷ 1.08 = $100.00

Tax paid: $108.00 − $100.00 = $8.00

Why does the rate vary within a state?

Most states allow counties, cities, and special districts (transit, stadium, tourism) to add local sales taxes on top of the state rate. For example, Texas has a 6.25% state rate but cities like Houston charge a combined 8.25%. Colorado has one of the lowest state rates (2.9%) but some cities push the combined rate above 10%. We show population-weighted combined averages — for the precise rate at your address, use your state's department of revenue lookup tool.

Common sales tax exemptions

Groceries

Most states exempt unprepared food; some tax it at a reduced rate.

Prescription drugs

Uniformly exempt across all states that have a sales tax.

Clothing

Some states (NY, PA, MN) exempt clothing below a per-item threshold.

Resale goods

Business purchases for resale are typically exempt with a resale certificate.

Online purchases and sales tax

Since the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair, states can require online sellers to collect sales tax even without a physical presence in the state. Most large retailers now collect the applicable tax automatically. Small sellers may have an economic nexus threshold (typically $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions per year) before they are required to collect.

Sales tax insights

2026 sales tax holidays: when to shop tax-free on clothing, supplies & computers

Many states suspend their sales tax for a weekend (or longer) on qualifying items each year. Shopping during these windows can save meaningfully — especially for families buying back-to-school items. All purchases, whether in-store or online, qualify if they ship during the holiday period.

State2026 datesQualifying items & limitsEst. savings on $500 cart
Tennessee (9.61%)Jul 24–26, 2026Clothing/supplies ≤$100; computers ≤$1,500. Both state and local exempt.~$47
Florida (6.00% state)Aug 1–31, 2026Clothing ≤$100; supplies ≤$50; computers ≤$1,500.~$35+
Texas (8.25% combined)Aug 7–9, 2026Clothing, footwear, backpacks, school supplies <$100 per item.~$41
Texas — emergency prepApr 25–27, 2026Generators <$3,000; shutters/ladders <$300; emergency supplies <$75.Varies
Virginia (5.3%)Aug dates TBDClothing/footwear ≤$100; school supplies ≤$20; hurricane/emergency supplies.~$27

Also check: Missouri, South Carolina, Ohio, Arkansas, Maryland, and others hold back-to-school weekends. Tennessee's holiday notably also covers firearms and ammunition (unusual for a back-to-school event). Online orders placed and accepted during the holiday window qualify in most states, even if delivery is after the holiday. Sources: TaxCloud 2026; Texas Comptroller; Tennessee DOR; reversesalestaxcalc.org 2026.

Destination vs. origin sourcing: which address determines the rate on your online order?

One of the least-understood aspects of sales tax: the sourcing rule determines whether the rate is based on where you (the buyer) are, or where the seller is located.

Destination-based (most states)

The rate at the buyer's shipping address applies. This is the default for all interstate transactions (seller in one state, buyer in another) and the rule in most states for in-state sales too.

Examples: NY, CA (district taxes), FL, WA, GA, CO, IL (for remote sellers)

Origin-based (11–12 states, in-state only)

The rate at the seller's business location applies — but only for in-state sellers. Remote sellers in these states still use destination rates.

States: AZ, CA (state/county/city taxes), IL, MS, MO, NM, OH, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA

Practical examples

• You buy in-person at a Houston, TX store (8.25%): You pay Houston's rate — Texas is origin-based for in-state sellers.

• A Florida online seller ships to your Texas address: Florida is a remote seller in Texas, so Texas destination rates apply — you pay your Texas city/county rate.

• You order from Amazon to your California address: You pay your California district + state/county taxes (Amazon collects correctly using mixed CA rules).

• Florida's county surtax quirk: Local county surtax only applies to the first $5,000 of any single item. A $6,000 TV in Florida: you pay county surtax on $5,000 only, state rate on the full $6,000.

Sources: Avalara "Origin vs. Destination Sales Tax"; Stripe sourcing guide 2026; Fonoa; letstalkshop.com 2026.

Use tax: the legal obligation most consumers don't know they owe on untaxed purchases

Every state with a sales tax also has a use tax — a mirror obligation imposed on the buyer at the same rate. When a seller doesn't charge sales tax on a taxable purchase, you legally owe use tax to your state.

When you owe use tax

  • •Buying from a small online seller below your state's economic nexus threshold ($100K/200 transactions)
  • •Purchases from overseas sellers (e.g., overseas marketplaces)
  • •Buying a taxable item in a zero-tax state (OR, MT, NH, DE) and bringing it home
  • •Buying from a B2B seller using a resale certificate, then keeping the item

How to pay it

  • •Most states: report on your annual state income tax return (CA, NY, NJ, IL, TX all have use tax lines)
  • •Some states offer a use tax lookup table based on income if you don't have exact records
  • •Larger liabilities: file a separate use tax return (e.g., Form ST-44 in IL, Form 01-156 in TX)
  • •Rate = same as your state's sales tax rate at your address

Post-Wayfair landscape

  • •Since South Dakota v. Wayfair (2018), major retailers now collect sales tax automatically
  • •Use tax primarily applies to small sellers below nexus thresholds or international sellers
  • •Voluntary compliance remains very low, but the legal obligation is real and auditable for businesses
  • •Businesses face greater scrutiny than individuals; personal use tax is rarely enforced

Sources: California CDTFA; New Jersey Division of Taxation; Illinois DOR Use Tax FAQ; Texas Comptroller Use Tax guidance.

The tax amount and total (or pre-tax price) shown above come from your entered amount, selected state rate or custom rate, and whether you are adding or removing tax — not a live tax authority feed. State rates are 2026 combined state + average local rates from the Tax Foundation. Below are the exact formulas for both modes, the order of operations, and worked examples you can verify by hand.

Core formulas

MetricFormula
Add tax — tax amountTax = Pre-tax amount × (Rate % ÷ 100)
Add tax — totalTotal = Pre-tax amount + Tax
Remove tax — pre-tax amountPre-tax = Total ÷ (1 + Rate % ÷ 100)
Remove tax — tax embeddedTax = Total − Pre-tax
Effective rate (remove mode)(Tax ÷ Pre-tax) × 100
RoundingAll dollar amounts rounded to 2 decimal places

Order of operations

1

Determine the tax rate

Rate = State combined rate OR custom rate entered

When a state is selected, we use the 2026 combined state + average local rate from US_STATE_SALES_TAX_RATES. Custom rate overrides the state lookup.

2

Choose add or remove mode

Add: amount is pre-tax · Remove: amount is total including tax

Add mode calculates how much tax to add to a shelf price. Remove mode backs out the pre-tax price from a receipt total.

3

Add tax calculation

Tax = Amount × Rate; Total = Amount + Tax

Multiply the pre-tax price by the rate to get the tax, then add to the original amount.

4

Remove tax calculation

Pre-tax = Total ÷ (1 + Rate); Tax = Total − Pre-tax

Because Total = Pre-tax × (1 + Rate), we divide the total by (1 + rate) to isolate the pre-tax portion.

5

Round to cents

round(value, 2) — standard half-up rounding to 2 decimals

Tax and totals are rounded to the nearest cent. Very small rounding differences can appear when adding then removing tax on odd amounts.

Worked example 1 — Add tax — $100 pre-tax at California 8.85%

Verify: $100.00 × 9.03% = $9.03 tax → $109.03 total

FieldValue
ModeAdd tax
Pre-tax amount$100.00
Tax rate9.03%
StateCalifornia (2026 combined)
Tax amount$9.03
Total with tax$109.03

Worked example 2 — Remove tax — $108.85 total at California 8.85%

Verify: $109.03 ÷ (1 + 9.03%) = $100.00 pre-tax; tax = $9.03

FieldValue
ModeRemove tax
Total (tax included)$109.03
Tax rate9.03%
Pre-tax amount$100.00
Tax embedded$9.03
Effective rate9.03%

Worked example 3 — Add tax — $100 at exactly 8% (clean hand math)

Verify: $100.00 × 8% = $8.00 tax → $108.00 total

FieldValue
Pre-tax amount$100.00
Tax rate8.00%
Tax amount$8.00
Total with tax$108.00

Rates and constants used

ItemValue
California combined rate (2026)9.03%
Tennessee (highest combined)9.61%
No sales tax statesAK, DE, MT, NH, OR
States + DC in lookup table51
Default calculator amount$100.00
Default stateCalifornia
Decimal precision2 places
What this calculator does not includeState rates are statewide averages combined with typical local rates — your exact city or county rate may differ. This calculator does not model special district taxes, exemptions (groceries, clothing, medicine), B2B resale certificates, use tax on out-of-state purchases, or economic nexus rules for online sellers. Alaska has no state sales tax but many local jurisdictions levy their own. Always verify your local rate with your state revenue department.
Frequently Asked Questions
State rates, add/remove formulas, holidays, sourcing, and use tax.

Five states have no statewide sales tax in 2026: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska allows local jurisdictions to levy their own sales taxes (up to ~7% in some areas). The other four states have no local sales tax either, making them completely sales-tax-free.

Louisiana has the highest combined state + average local sales tax rate at approximately 10.13% as of July 1, 2026. The next highest are Tennessee (9.61%), Washington (9.57%), Arkansas (9.48%), and Alabama (9.46%). Source: Tax Foundation, 2026 midyear update.

Divide the total by (1 + rate). For example, $108 total at 8% = $108 ÷ 1.08 = $100 pre-tax. The $8 difference is the tax you paid. Use the Remove tax mode above — enter the total you paid, pick your state, and it calculates instantly.

Multiply the pre-tax price by (1 + rate). For 8.25%: $50 × 1.0825 = $54.13. Or simply use Add tax mode in the calculator — enter the pre-tax price, select your state, and the total is shown instantly.

Yes, significantly. Most states allow counties and cities to add local taxes on top of the state rate. The rate you pay depends on where the purchase occurs (or the shipping address under destination sourcing). Our calculator shows the population-weighted combined average for each state. For the exact rate at a specific address, use your state's department of revenue address lookup.

It depends on the state. Many states exempt unprepared grocery food from sales tax (e.g., California, New York, Texas exempt most grocery items). Some states tax groceries at a reduced rate. A handful of states (e.g., Mississippi, South Dakota) apply the full sales tax to groceries. Prepared food (restaurant meals, ready-to-eat items) is almost universally taxable.

Tax Foundation's July 2026 update reports Louisiana at 10.13%, Tennessee at 9.61%, and Washington at 9.57% for the highest population-weighted combined rates. Changes since January were driven mainly by local rate adjustments; there was no statewide rate change between January and July 2026.

Several states hold annual tax-free weekends on qualifying items. Key 2026 dates: Tennessee Jul 24–26 (clothing/supplies ≤$100, computers ≤$1,500 — both state and local exempt); Texas back-to-school Aug 7–9 (clothing, footwear, backpacks, supplies under $100); Florida Aug 1–31 — the full month (clothing ≤$100, supplies ≤$50, computers ≤$1,500); Texas emergency preparedness Apr 25–27 (generators under $3,000). Other states: Virginia, Missouri, South Carolina, Ohio, and more. Sources: TaxCloud 2026; Texas Comptroller; Tennessee DOR.

Most states use destination-based sourcing — the rate at the buyer's address applies. About 12 states use origin-based sourcing for in-state sellers (AZ, CA-mixed, IL, MS, MO, NM, OH, PA, TN, TX, UT, VA) — the rate at the seller's location applies. However, remote sellers based in another state almost always use destination rates even in origin-based states. For in-person purchases, the store's address rate always applies. Sources: Avalara; Stripe; Fonoa 2026.

Use tax is the consumer obligation that mirrors sales tax — it applies at the same rate as sales tax when a seller didn't collect sales tax on your taxable purchase. You owe it when: buying from a small online seller below your state's nexus threshold; purchasing from overseas sellers; or buying in a zero-tax state and bringing the item home. Most states allow reporting use tax on your annual income tax return. Post-Wayfair, major retailers collect automatically, but small sellers may not. Sources: California CDTFA; New Jersey Treasury; Texas Comptroller; Illinois DOR.

The state-only rate is the statewide sales tax (for example, Texas 6.25%). The combined rate adds average local city, county, and special-district taxes. We display population-weighted combined averages from the Tax Foundation so a single number works for ballpark estimates. Your checkout rate at a specific address can be higher or lower than the state average.

Yes. Choose Custom rate in the state selector and type the exact percentage from your receipt, local ordinance, or state address lookup. That is the best option when you know Houston's 8.25% combined rate or another city-specific figure.

Almost always yes. Prepared food and restaurant meals are taxable in nearly every state with a sales tax, even when unprepared groceries are exempt or taxed at a reduced rate. Some localities also add hospitality or meal taxes on top of sales tax.

It depends on the state and how the invoice is structured. Many states tax shipping when the underlying goods are taxable; some exempt separately stated delivery charges. Marketplace and remote sellers usually follow destination-state rules. Check your state's DOR guidance if shipping is a large line item.

Rules vary widely. Some states tax digital downloads, streaming, or SaaS subscriptions; others do not or tax only certain categories. Remote sellers may need to collect based on the buyer's location. This calculator applies a general merchandise rate — verify digital product taxability with your state's department of revenue.

Wayfair (2018) let states require remote sellers to collect sales tax without a physical presence. Most states use an economic nexus threshold — commonly $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions into the state in a year (thresholds and lookback periods vary). Large marketplaces often collect for sellers. Below-threshold sellers may still leave buyers with a use-tax obligation.

They are solid for estimates and comparisons across states. They are population-weighted averages of state + local rates as of early 2026 (Tax Foundation), not a guarantee of the rate at your ZIP code. Border cities, transit districts, and special districts can differ. Use Custom rate or your state's address lookup for filing or invoicing.

US sales tax is typically charged once at retail on the final consumer sale and is administered by states and localities. VAT (common in Europe and elsewhere) is a multi-stage value-added tax collected throughout the supply chain with input credits. This tool is for US-style sales tax add/remove; Canadian GST/HST has its own calculator on this site.

Alaska has no statewide sales tax, but many cities and boroughs levy local sales taxes — sometimes totaling around 7% or more. Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon generally have no state or local general sales tax. Always confirm local rules if you shop or sell in Alaska.

Usually yes for goods purchased for resale, and often for certain manufacturing or agricultural inputs, if the buyer provides a valid exemption or resale certificate and meets state rules. Misusing a certificate (keeping items for personal use) can trigger use tax and penalties. Rules and forms differ by state.

State rates change when legislatures act; local rates can change more often via city/county votes or special districts. Combined averages shift year to year as locals adjust. We refresh rates when major sources (e.g., Tax Foundation annual report) update — verify before relying on a figure for compliance.

Sales tax is a broad-based tax on retail sales of taxable goods (and sometimes services) at a percentage rate. Excise taxes target specific products — fuel, tobacco, alcohol, hotel rooms — often as a per-unit or special rate, sometimes in addition to sales tax. This calculator models general sales tax, not product-specific excise levies.
Sources & references
Official and research sources for 2026 sales tax rates.

Zero-tax states reminder

  • Alaska — Local tax allowed (up to ~7%)
  • Delaware — No sales tax at all
  • Montana — No sales tax at all
  • New Hampshire — No sales tax at all
  • Oregon — No sales tax at all

Rates are for education and estimates only. Confirm the exact rate and taxability with your state department of revenue. Not tax advice.

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Last updated: 2026-07-06 · Combined averages for estimates; verify with your state DOR · Not tax advice.