Sales Tax Calculator - Calculate State & Local Sales Tax Rates for All US States

Sales Tax Calculator

Calculate accurate sales tax for all US states and major cities. Add or remove tax from prices, get current tax rates, and ensure business compliance with our comprehensive tax calculator.

Adding 10.00% sales tax to $100.00 in Los Angeles, California results in a final price of $110.00 (tax: $10.00).

Original Price
$100.00
Total Tax
$10.00
Tax Rate
10.00%
Final Price
$110.00

Tax Breakdown

California State Tax (7.50%):$7.50
Los Angeles Local Tax (2.50%):$2.50
Total Tax:$10.00

Location Information

State: California (7.50% state tax)
City: Los Angeles (+2.50% local tax)
Combined Rate: 10.00%

Complete Guide to Sales Tax Calculation and Compliance

Understanding Sales Tax

Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and services. The tax is typically collected by the retailer at the point of sale and remitted to the appropriate tax authority.

Our sales tax calculator provides current rates for all 50 US states and major cities, helping businesses ensure compliance and accurate pricing.

Key Sales Tax Components

  • State Sales Tax: Imposed by state governments
  • Local Sales Tax: Additional tax by cities/counties
  • Combined Rate: Total of state and local taxes
  • Tax Base: The amount subject to taxation
  • Exemptions: Items not subject to sales tax
  • Use Tax: Tax on items purchased out-of-state

Sales Tax Rates by State

No Sales Tax States

Five states have no statewide sales tax, though some allow local sales taxes:

Alaska

0% state tax

Local taxes allowed

Delaware

0% state tax

No local taxes

Montana

0% state tax

Local taxes allowed

New Hampshire

0% state tax

No local taxes

Oregon

0% state tax

No local taxes

Highest Combined Tax Rates

States with highest average combined state and local rates:

  • Tennessee: 9.55% average
  • Louisiana: 9.52% average
  • Arkansas: 9.47% average
  • Washington: 9.23% average
  • Alabama: 9.22% average

Lowest State Tax Rates

States with lowest statewide sales tax rates:

  • Colorado: 2.9% state rate
  • Georgia: 4.0% state rate
  • Hawaii: 4.0% state rate
  • New York: 4.0% state rate
  • Wyoming: 4.0% state rate

Business Sales Tax Compliance

Economic Nexus Rules

Since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, businesses must collect sales tax in states where they have economic nexus, typically defined as:

Common Thresholds
  • • $100,000 in annual sales, OR
  • • 200+ separate transactions
  • • Some states have different thresholds
  • • Rules vary by state
Compliance Requirements
  • • Register for sales tax permit
  • • Collect appropriate tax rates
  • • File regular tax returns
  • • Remit collected taxes

Sales Tax Calculation Methods

Adding Sales Tax

Formula: Price × (1 + Tax Rate)

Example: $100 × (1 + 0.08) = $108

Use when you have the pre-tax price and need the total

Removing Sales Tax

Formula: Total ÷ (1 + Tax Rate)

Example: $108 ÷ (1 + 0.08) = $100

Use when you have the total and need the pre-tax price

Tax Amount Only

Formula: Price × Tax Rate

Example: $100 × 0.08 = $8

Use when you only need the tax amount

Special Sales Tax Considerations

Tax-Exempt Items

Many states exempt certain items from sales tax:

  • • Groceries and food items
  • • Prescription medications
  • • Medical devices and equipment
  • • Educational materials
  • • Clothing (in some states)
  • • Services (varies by state)

Digital Products & Services

Tax treatment varies significantly:

  • • Software downloads
  • • Digital media and entertainment
  • • Cloud-based services
  • • Online subscriptions
  • • Professional services
  • • Consulting and advisory services

Start Calculating Sales Tax Today

Use our comprehensive sales tax calculator to ensure accurate pricing and compliance across all US states and major cities. Our calculator includes current tax rates and handles both simple and complex tax scenarios.

Whether you're a small business owner, retailer, or ecommerce seller, our sales tax calculator provides the accuracy and reliability you need for proper tax compliance and business operations.