Quick Answer
To add sales tax, multiply the price by (1 + tax rate). For $250 in California at the 7.25% state rate: 250 × 1.0725 = $268.13, of which $18.13 is tax. To remove tax from a tax-inclusive total, divide by (1 + rate) — £59.99 including 20% UK VAT is £59.99 ÷ 1.20 = £49.99 before VAT. Your exact US rate also depends on local city and county taxes.
What is a Sales Tax Calculator?
A Sales Tax Calculator works out how much tax is added to a purchase and what the final price will be — or, in reverse, how much of a tax-inclusive price is actually tax. In the United States, sales tax is usually added at the checkout, so the shelf price is not what you pay. In the UK, Europe, the UAE, Australia and most other countries, a value-added tax (VAT) or goods and services tax (GST) is normally included in the displayed price, and businesses need to extract it for invoices and returns.
This free calculator handles both directions. It includes US state-level base rates for all 50 states and Washington DC with a box for your local rate, standard VAT/GST rates for 14 countries, and a custom rate for anything else. Every result shows the working, including a reminder of the most common mistake: removing tax by subtracting the percentage instead of dividing.
Key Features
- Add tax to a pre-tax price to get the total.
- Remove tax from a tax-inclusive total to get the net price.
- US sales tax — state base rates (2025) plus your city/county rate.
- VAT/GST presets — UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Netherlands, Ireland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Singapore and Japan.
- Custom rate for any other tax.
- Currency symbols matched to the region.
- Step-by-step working and a shareable link.
How to Use It — Step by Step
- Choose “Add tax” or “Remove tax”.
- Choose the region: US sales tax, VAT/GST or Custom rate.
- Select the state or country, and for the US enter your local rate if you know it.
- Enter the amount — the pre-tax price or the total including tax.
- Read the result: total or net price, tax amount, rate used and the steps.
Formulas with Worked Examples
Adding tax: Total = Price × (1 + rate ÷ 100)
A $250 purchase in California at the 7.25% state rate: tax = 250 × 0.0725 = $18.125, shown as $18.13; total = $268.13. In New York City, the combined rate is commonly 8.875% (4% state plus local taxes): $100 becomes $108.88.
Removing tax: Net = Total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100)
A UK price of £59.99 including 20% VAT: net = 59.99 ÷ 1.20 = £49.99, and VAT = £10.00. A quick UK shortcut is that VAT is one sixth of a 20%-inclusive price.
Why not subtract 20%? Because the 20% was calculated on the net price, not the total. 20% of £59.99 is £12.00, which would understate the net price at £47.99 — wrong by £2.
US Sales Tax: State and Local
US sales tax is set by states and localities, not the federal government. Each state sets a base rate, and most allow counties, cities and special districts to add their own. The combined rate depends on where the item is delivered. The table shows a few state base rates from the calculator's presets:
| State | State base rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| California | 7.25% | Highest state base rate; local district taxes add more |
| Texas | 6.25% | Local taxes can add up to 2% |
| New York | 4% | New York City combined rate is commonly 8.875% |
| Florida | 6% | Most counties add a discretionary surtax |
| Illinois | 6.25% | Chicago's combined rate is much higher |
| Washington | 6.5% | No state income tax; local sales taxes added |
| Oregon, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire | 0% | No statewide sales tax |
| Alaska | 0% | No state tax, but many localities charge one |
Rates change, and some states tax groceries, clothing or digital goods differently. Use your state tax department's lookup tool for the exact rate at an address.
VAT and GST Around the World
VAT and GST are charged at every stage of the supply chain, with businesses reclaiming the tax they pay on inputs, so the final consumer bears it. Prices shown to consumers in VAT countries generally include the tax. Standard rates in the calculator:
| Country | Tax | Standard rate |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | VAT | 20% |
| Germany | VAT | 19% |
| France | VAT | 20% |
| Ireland | VAT | 23% |
| United Arab Emirates | VAT | 5% |
| Saudi Arabia | VAT | 15% |
| Australia | GST | 10% |
| New Zealand | GST | 15% |
| Singapore | GST | 9% |
| Canada | Federal GST | 5% (plus provincial tax in many provinces) |
Most countries also have reduced or zero rates for essentials such as food, books, children's clothing or public transport. For India's GST slabs and the CGST/SGST split, use our GST Calculator.
For Small Businesses and Freelancers
- Quoting prices: decide whether your prices are tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive and say so clearly on quotes and invoices.
- Extracting tax: use Remove mode to split a tax-inclusive receipt into net and tax for your accounts.
- Selling online across US states: obligations depend on where your buyers are and your sales volume there. Get advice from a tax professional.
- Rounding: tax is usually rounded per invoice or per line; small one-cent differences between methods are normal.
Quick Reference: Multipliers
Multiplying by a single factor is the fastest way to add or remove tax. Here are the factors for common rates:
| Rate | To add tax, multiply by | To remove tax, divide by | Tax share of an inclusive price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | 1.05 | 1.05 | 4.76% |
| 6.25% | 1.0625 | 1.0625 | 5.88% |
| 7.25% | 1.0725 | 1.0725 | 6.76% |
| 10% | 1.10 | 1.10 | 9.09% |
| 15% | 1.15 | 1.15 | 13.04% |
| 20% | 1.20 | 1.20 | 16.67% (one sixth) |
The last column shows why removing tax by subtracting the rate is wrong: with 20% VAT, the tax is only one sixth (16.67%) of the inclusive price, not 20%.
Everyday Uses
- Checking the real checkout price when shopping in the US.
- Comparing prices between states or countries while travelling.
- Working out VAT on a UK, EU or UAE receipt for expense claims.
- Pricing products for an online shop.
- Checking tax on large purchases such as electronics, furniture or cars.
Tourists and Tax Refunds
Visitors to many VAT countries can reclaim VAT on goods they take home, through schemes run by retailers or refund operators, usually with a minimum spend and paperwork at the airport. The UAE, for example, has a tourist refund scheme, while the UK ended its VAT refund scheme for most shoppers in 2021. The US has no national sales tax refund for tourists, though a few states have their own programmes. Always check the current rules before you travel, and keep receipts — the calculator can show you how much of each receipt was tax.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Subtracting the rate to remove tax — always divide by (1 + rate).
- Using only the state rate in the US — add local taxes for the real total.
- Assuming every item is taxed at the standard rate — many essentials are reduced or exempt.
- Relying on old rates — check the tax authority, especially at the start of a year.
Tips and Troubleshooting
- Your country is missing — choose Custom rate and type the rate.
- A US state shows a different rate on receipts — that receipt includes local taxes.
- Results end in .5 cents — amounts are rounded to the nearest cent for display.
Quick Glossary
- Sales tax: a tax added at the point of sale, common in the US.
- VAT / GST: a multi-stage consumption tax usually included in shelf prices.
- Tax-inclusive price: a price that already contains the tax.
- Net price: the price before tax.
- Combined rate: state plus local sales tax rates.
- Reduced rate: a lower VAT or sales tax rate for essentials such as food.
- Exempt: goods or services on which no tax is charged.
Why Use This Sales Tax Calculator?
It adds and removes tax correctly, covers US states and major VAT/GST countries, shows its working and reminds you where rates can vary — free, fast and private. Always confirm current rates with the official tax authority for filings and invoices.
Sales Tax Calculator — Key Facts
| Add tax | Total = price × (1 + rate ÷ 100) |
|---|---|
| Remove tax | Net = total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100) |
| US | State base rate + local rate (varies by address) |
| No state sales tax | Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon |
| VAT / GST presets | UK 20%, Germany 19%, UAE 5%, Australia 10%, Singapore 9% and more |
| Note | Rates change — verify with the official tax authority |
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal to get the tax, then add it to the price. For $80 at 6%: tax = 80 × 0.06 = $4.80, total = $84.80. Or multiply by 1.06 directly.
How do I remove sales tax or VAT from a total?
Divide the total by (1 + rate). A total of $108.88 at 8.875% tax is 108.88 ÷ 1.08875 = $100.00 before tax. Do not subtract 8.875% of the total — that removes too little.
Why is my US sales tax higher than the state rate?
Most states let cities, counties and special districts add their own sales taxes. The combined rate depends on the delivery address. Enter your local rate in the Local box to get the combined figure.
Which US states have no sales tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax. Some Alaska and Montana localities still charge local sales taxes.
What is the sales tax rate in California?
The statewide base rate is 7.25%, and local district taxes push the combined rate higher in many areas. Check the California tax authority for the rate at your exact address.
What is VAT?
Value-added tax is a consumption tax charged at each stage of production and sale and included in shelf prices in most countries. Businesses usually reclaim VAT on purchases; consumers bear the final tax.
What are the standard VAT rates in this calculator?
UK 20%, Germany 19%, France 20%, Italy 22%, Spain 21%, Netherlands 21%, Ireland 23%, UAE 5%, Saudi Arabia 15%, Australia GST 10%, New Zealand GST 15%, Canada federal GST 5%, Singapore GST 9% and Japan consumption tax 10%. Many countries also have reduced rates for some goods.
Does this calculator work for Indian GST?
You can enter a GST rate as a custom rate, but our GST Calculator is better for India — it includes the current slabs and the CGST/SGST/IGST split.
Is shipping taxable?
It depends on the state or country and on how shipping is charged. Some US states tax delivery charges and others do not. Check the rules where you are buying.
Are groceries and medicines taxed?
Often at a lower rate or not at all. Many US states exempt or reduce tax on groceries and prescription drugs, and VAT countries usually have reduced rates for food. The presets show standard rates.
How current are the rates?
The US presets are state-level base rates as of 2025 and the VAT presets are standard rates. Tax rates can change, so confirm with the official tax authority before filing returns or issuing invoices.
Is the Sales Tax Calculator free?
Yes. It is free, needs no sign-up and runs privately in your browser.
Get the Tax Right Every Time!
Add or remove sales tax and VAT in seconds — free and private.
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