Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate tax amount and total price instantly
Price before tax
Sales tax percentage (0-100%)
Sales Tax Calculation
Tax Breakdown
Try these examples:
Common Sales Tax Calculation Mistakes
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!Forgetting to convert percentage to decimal: 7.5% tax = multiply by 0.075, not 7.5
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!Adding tax to discounted prices incorrectly: Tax applies to final sale price, not original price
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!Confusing inclusive vs exclusive tax: US/Canada: tax added after. UK/Australia: tax included in price
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!Missing local taxes: Some areas have state + county + city taxes that combine
Common Sales Tax Examples
| Pre-tax Amount | Tax Rate | Tax Amount | Total After Tax | Increase | Example Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100.00 | 7.5% | $7.50 | $107.50 | 7.5% more | California, USA |
| $50.00 | 13% HST | $6.50 | $56.50 | 13% more | Ontario, Canada |
| £200.00 | 20% VAT | £40.00 | £240.00 | 20% more | United Kingdom |
| $75.00 | 10% GST | $7.50 | $82.50 | 10% more | Australia |
| $89.99 | 8.875% | $7.99 | $97.98 | 8.88% more | New York City, USA |
How This Sales Tax Calculator Works
Sales tax calculations are essential for budgeting and understanding your total purchase cost. Our calculator uses simple formulas to give you instant results for any tax rate in any country.
The sales tax calculation follows this straightforward formula:
Tax Amount = Purchase Amount × (Tax Rate ÷ 100)
Total After Tax = Purchase Amount + Tax Amount
For example, calculating 7.5% sales tax on $100:
Tax Amount = $100 × (7.5 ÷ 100) = $100 × 0.075 = $7.50
Total After Tax = $100 + $7.50 = $107.50
The total price increases by exactly the tax percentage. You pay $107.50, which is 7.5% more than the pre-tax price of $100.
Country-Specific Sales Tax Systems
United States Sales Tax
In the United States, sales tax is added at the register and varies by state, county, and city:
| State/Location | State Rate | Average Local Rate | Combined Rate | $100 Purchase Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7.25% | 1.00% | 8.25% | $8.25 |
| New York City | 4% | 4.875% | 8.875% | $8.88 |
| Texas | 6.25% | 2.00% | 8.25% | $8.25 |
| Delaware | 0% | 0% | 0% | $0.00 |
Five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon (though local taxes may apply in some).
Canada: GST/HST/PST System
Canada has three types of sales taxes that vary by province:
GST (Goods and Services Tax): Federal 5% tax applied nationwide
PST (Provincial Sales Tax): Provincial tax, varies by province (0-10%)
HST (Harmonized Sales Tax): Combined GST+PST in some provinces
| Province | GST | PST | HST | Total Rate | $100 Purchase Tax |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ontario | N/A | N/A | 13% | 13% | $13.00 |
| British Columbia | 5% | 7% | N/A | 12% | $12.00 |
| Alberta | 5% | 0% | N/A | 5% | $5.00 |
| Quebec | 5% | 9.975% | N/A | 14.975% | $14.98 |
United Kingdom: VAT System
The UK uses Value Added Tax (VAT) which is included in displayed prices:
Standard Rate: 20% – Most goods and services
Reduced Rate: 5% – Some goods like home energy
Zero Rate: 0% – Essential items like most food, children’s clothes
Exempt: No VAT – Education, health services
Since VAT is included in UK prices, to find the pre-VAT price: Divide by 1.20. Example: £120 item: £120 ÷ 1.20 = £100 pre-VAT, £20 VAT.
Australia: GST System
Australia uses a Goods and Services Tax (GST) included in displayed prices:
Standard Rate: 10% – Most goods and services
GST-Free: 0% – Basic food, medical services, education
Input-Taxed: No GST credits – Financial services, residential rent
Like the UK, GST is included in Australian prices. To find pre-GST price: Divide by 1.10. Example: $110 item: $110 ÷ 1.10 = $100 pre-GST, $10 GST.
Real-World Tax Calculation Examples
Shopping with Multiple Tax Rates
When shopping across different tax jurisdictions, you need to calculate accordingly:
Online purchase from different state: You may pay your local rate or the seller’s rate
Cross-border shopping: May pay taxes at border or be exempt up to certain amounts
Digital services: Often taxed based on customer location, not seller location
Tax on Discounted Items
Sales tax applies to the final sale price, not the original price:
Original price: $200
Discount: 25% off = $50 savings
Sale price: $150
Tax (7.5%): $150 × 0.075 = $11.25
Total: $150 + $11.25 = $161.25
Total savings: $50 on item + $3.75 on tax = $53.75 total
You save tax on the discounted amount too, which increases your total savings.
Tax-Exempt Purchases
Some purchases are tax-exempt or have reduced rates:
| Item Type | USA Status | Canada Status | UK Status | Australia Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Groceries | Often exempt or reduced | Zero-rated basics | Zero-rated most | GST-free basic food |
| Prescription Drugs | Usually exempt | Zero-rated | Zero-rated | GST-free |
| Clothing | Taxable (some exemptions) | Taxable | Taxable (children’s exempt) | Taxable |
| Books | Taxable (some exempt) | Taxable | Zero-rated | GST-free |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate sales tax manually?
To calculate sales tax manually: Convert tax rate to decimal (divide by 100). Multiply purchase amount by this decimal to get tax amount. Add tax to purchase for total. Example: 7.5% tax on $100: 7.5÷100=0.075, $100×0.075=$7.50 tax, $100+$7.50=$107.50 total.
What’s the difference between sales tax and VAT/GST?
Sales tax (US) is added at point of sale. VAT (UK) and GST (Canada/Australia) are value-added taxes included in displayed prices. Technically different but similar for consumers. Sales tax rates vary locally; VAT/GST are national with fewer rates.
Do I pay sales tax on shipping?
It depends on location and whether shipping is separate or included. In many US states, shipping is taxable if included in item price. In Canada/UK/Australia, shipping usually has same tax treatment as item. Check local regulations as rules vary.
How do I find pre-tax price from total?
For US/Canada (tax added): Pre-tax = Total ÷ (1 + tax rate/100). Example: $107.50 total with 7.5% tax: $107.50 ÷ 1.075 = $100. For UK/Australia (tax included): Same formula works since mathematically equivalent.
Are online purchases taxed?
Most online purchases are now taxed. In US, online sellers often collect sales tax based on shipping address. In other countries, VAT/GST applies to most online purchases. Some small sellers may be exempt under threshold amounts.
What items are usually tax-exempt?
Common tax-exempt items include: Basic groceries, prescription drugs, some clothing (especially children’s), educational materials, medical devices. Exemptions vary by country and sometimes by state/province. Always check local regulations.
Tax Calculation Tips for Shoppers
Budgeting for Tax
When budgeting, include estimated tax to avoid surprises:
Quick estimation: For 10% tax, add 10% to budget. For 7% tax, add 7%.
Round numbers: $100 budget with 7.5% tax = $107.50 needed.
High-tax areas: NYC (8.875%), Chicago (10.25%) need larger tax buffers.
Travel budgeting: Research destination tax rates before trip.
Comparing Prices Across Jurisdictions
When comparing prices in different areas, calculate with local tax rates:
Item: $100 in State A (5% tax) vs $98 in State B (8% tax)
State A total: $100 × 1.05 = $105.00
State B total: $98 × 1.08 = $105.84
Actually cheaper in State A despite higher pre-tax price.
Always compare final after-tax prices, not pre-tax prices.
Tax-Free Shopping Opportunities
Look for legal tax savings opportunities:
| Opportunity | How It Works | Potential Savings | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tax-Free Weekends | Certain items exempt for limited time | Full tax amount | Limited items, specific dates |
| Cross-Border Shopping | Shop in lower-tax areas | Tax rate difference | Travel costs, import limits |
| Online from No-Tax State | Seller doesn’t collect tax | Full tax amount | Use tax may still apply |
| Exempt Items | Buy tax-exempt goods | Full tax amount | Limited item categories |
Quick Tax Estimation Tips
For approximate tax calculations without a calculator:
- 10% tax: Move decimal one place left ($100 → $10 tax)
- 7% tax: 10% minus 30% of 10% ($100 → $10 – $3 = $7)
- 8% tax: 10% minus 20% of 10% ($100 → $10 – $2 = $8)
- 5% tax: Half of 10% ($100 → $5)
- Round numbers: For $99.99, calculate as $100 for estimation
Example: 7.5% tax on $80: 10% = $8, 7.5% = $8 – $0.40 = $7.60 (exact: $80 × 0.075 = $6.00, so 10% = $8, adjust down).
This sales tax calculator provides instant, accurate calculations for all your shopping needs. Bookmark this page for quick access whenever you need to calculate tax amounts, compare prices across regions, or budget for purchases.
Sales Tax Calculation Result
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