Total price with sales tax
Enter the price before tax and your sales tax rate.
- Price before tax$249.99
- Sales tax (8.25%)$20.62
- Total$270.61
How to calculate sales tax
Shelf prices in the US are usually shown before sales tax, and the tax is added at checkout. To know your total, add the tax. To know what an item costs before tax, divide the total by 1 plus the rate.
For other percent math, like a store discount, use the percentage calculator. For tips on a restaurant bill, use the tip calculator.
Where to find your tax rate
Sales tax rates differ by state, county, and city, and the calculator asks you to type your own rate so the answer fits where you shop. The combined rate is usually the state rate plus any local rates added together.
- Read the tax line on a recent receipt and divide it by the pre-tax subtotal.
- Check the website of your state or city revenue department for the current combined rate.
- Use the "Find the rate" tab with a price before and after tax from an online checkout.
- Enter 0 for items that are exempt where you live. Rules for items like groceries or clothing vary by place.
Worked examples
| Price | Total at 6% | Total at 7% | Total at 8% | Total at 9% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $25 | $26.50 | $26.75 | $27.00 | $27.25 |
| $50 | $53.00 | $53.50 | $54.00 | $54.50 |
| $100 | $106.00 | $107.00 | $108.00 | $109.00 |
| $250 | $265.00 | $267.50 | $270.00 | $272.50 |
| $500 | $530.00 | $535.00 | $540.00 | $545.00 |
Going backward: a $270.61 total at 8.25% is 270.61 ÷ 1.0825 = $249.99 before tax. The tax inside is $270.61 − $249.99 = $20.62. A store may round tax on each item or on the whole receipt, so a total can differ by a cent from this math.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal, then add that to the price. A $100 item at 7% has $7.00 of tax, so the total is $107.00.
How do I take sales tax out of a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate. For $107.00 at 7%, 107 ÷ 1.07 = $100.00 before tax. The Remove tax tab does it for you.
How do I find my sales tax rate?
Divide the tax on a recent receipt by the pre-tax subtotal, or check your state or city revenue department. Rates vary by state, county, and city.
How do I find the tax rate from two prices?
Divide the price after tax by the price before tax, subtract 1, and multiply by 100. $86.80 on an $80 item is a rate of 8.5%.
Is sales tax the same in every state?
No. Rates and the items that are taxed differ by state, and many counties and cities add their own tax. Enter the combined rate where you buy.
Why does my receipt differ by a cent?
Stores can round tax per item or on the whole purchase, which can move the total by a cent. Round the tax to the nearest cent in either case.
Sources and review
Standard public-domain formulas. Every calculation is checked against independent numeric tests before it goes live.