Sales Tax Calculator by State Calculators

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Sales tax in the United States varies widely by state, county, and municipality — ranging from 0% in states with no sales tax to combined rates exceeding 10% in some localities. Understanding sales tax rates is important for budgeting purchases, running a business, and filing tax returns. The sales tax amount is calculated by multiplying the pre-tax price by the applicable rate. Most states exempt certain items like groceries, prescription drugs, and clothing from sales tax, so the effective rate on a purchase depends on what is being bought and where.

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How to Calculate Sales Tax

Sales tax = price × (tax rate / 100)
Total price = price × (1 + tax rate / 100)

Example: A $50 item in a state with 8% sales tax: Tax = $50 × 0.08 = $4.00. Total = $54.00.

States with No Sales Tax

Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Note that Alaska allows local municipalities to impose sales taxes, so some Alaskan localities do have sales tax. Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no state or local sales tax.

Highest Combined Sales Tax Rates (State + Local)

Combined state and local rates are highest in Tennessee (~9.55%), Louisiana (~9.52%), Arkansas (~9.47%), Washington (~9.38%), and Alabama (~9.24%). These figures represent statewide averages of local rates added on top of the state rate.

Common Exemptions

  • Groceries: 32 states exempt or partially exempt grocery food from sales tax
  • Prescription drugs: Exempt in most states
  • Clothing: Exempt in several states including Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Minnesota
  • Agricultural supplies: Exempt in most states for qualifying farm use

Glossary

Combined Sales Tax Rate
The total sales tax rate a consumer pays, including state, county, and municipal rates added together; varies by specific location within a state.
Tax Exemption
A legal provision that excludes specific goods or services from sales tax; common exemptions include groceries, prescription drugs, and farm supplies.
Use Tax
A tax on purchases made outside a state (e.g., online) where no sales tax was collected; owed to the buyer's home state at the same rate as sales tax; often self-reported on income tax returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

Multiply the pre-tax price by the tax rate expressed as a decimal: Sales tax = price × (rate / 100). Total price = price × (1 + rate / 100). For a $120 item at 7.5% tax: Tax = $120 × 0.075 = $9.00; Total = $129.00. When multiple rates apply (state + county + city), add all rates together first, then calculate.

Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska, however, permits local municipalities to collect their own sales taxes — some Alaskan cities and boroughs do charge sales tax. Residents in true no-tax states (Delaware, Montana, NH, Oregon) pay no sales tax on most purchases, making these states popular for large purchases like cars and electronics.

No. Most states exempt or reduce sales tax on grocery food. As of 2025, states like California, Texas, and New York exempt most grocery items. States that do tax groceries — such as Mississippi and Alabama — often do so at the full state rate. Many states apply a reduced rate rather than a full exemption. Prepared foods (restaurant meals, hot food from grocery stores) are taxed in nearly all states even where packaged groceries are exempt.

The state sales tax rate is set by state law and applies uniformly throughout the state. Counties and municipalities can add their own local sales tax on top of the state rate — the combined rate is what consumers actually pay. For example, Tennessee's state rate is 7%, but county and city additions bring average combined rates to around 9.55% in many areas. When calculating, always use the combined rate for the specific location of the purchase.