Calculate sales tax on any purchase. Find out the total price including tax or reverse-calculate the pre-tax price.
Calculate sales tax and total price on purchases.
The Sales Tax Calculator is your essential tool for calculating exact costs on any purchase across all 50 U.S. states. Whether you're shopping online, comparing prices between stores in different jurisdictions, or planning a major purchase, this calculator instantly shows you the total price including tax—eliminating checkout surprises and helping you budget accurately.
Sales tax is a consumption tax charged by state and local governments on retail purchases of goods and some services. Unlike income tax which is based on earnings, sales tax is collected at the point of sale and varies dramatically by location—from 0% in tax-free states to over 11% in high-tax jurisdictions. Understanding sales tax rates by state helps you make smarter purchasing decisions and can save you hundreds of dollars annually on major purchases.
Example: $500 purchase at 8.25% tax = $500 × 0.0825 = $41.25 tax. Total = $541.25.
Combined state and average local rates for major U.S. states:
| State | State Rate | Avg Local | Combined Rate | Groceries Taxed? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 7.25% | 1.57% | 8.82% | No |
| Texas | 6.25% | 1.94% | 8.19% | No |
| Florida | 6.00% | 1.02% | 7.02% | No |
| New York | 4.00% | 4.52% | 8.52% | No |
| Illinois | 6.25% | 2.57% | 8.82% | 1% (reduced) |
| Pennsylvania | 6.00% | 0.34% | 6.34% | No |
| Washington | 6.50% | 2.79% | 9.29% | No |
| Louisiana | 4.45% | 7.00% | 11.45% | Yes (full rate) |
| Tennessee | 7.00% | 2.55% | 9.55% | 4% (reduced) |
| Oregon | 0% | 0% | 0% | N/A (no sales tax) |
| Montana | 0% | 0% | 0% | N/A (no sales tax) |
| Delaware | 0% | 0% | 0% | N/A (no sales tax) |
| New Hampshire | 0% | 0% | 0% | N/A (no sales tax) |
| Alaska | 0% | Yes (up to 7.5%) | Varies | No state tax but some local taxes |
Shopping tip: If you live near a tax-free state, making major purchases (electronics, appliances, furniture) there can save you 8-10% of the purchase price.
Common exemptions that can save you money on everyday purchases:
| Item Category | Typical Exemption Status | States with Full Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries (unprepared food) | Exempt in 32 states | CA, TX, NY, FL, PA, OH, MI, NJ, VA, MA, and 22 others |
| Prescription medications | Exempt in all 50 states | All states |
| Clothing | Exempt in 4 states | PA, NJ, MN, NY (under $110) |
| Over-the-counter medicine | Exempt in many states | NY, PA, NJ, CT, FL, TX, and others |
| Medical equipment | Exempt in most states | Wheelchairs, prosthetics, hearing aids in 45+ states |
| Baby products | Varies by state | Diapers exempt in CA, NY, NJ; formula exempt in most states |
Mistake: Using only the state rate. Fix: Always use the combined rate (state + county + city + special districts). A 6% state rate can become 10%+ with local additions.
Mistake: Assuming all items are taxed equally. Fix: Many states exempt groceries, clothing, medicine, or have reduced rates. Check your state's exemptions before budgeting.
Mistake: Forgetting online purchase taxes. Fix: Since 2018 (South Dakota v. Wayfair), most online purchases include sales tax based on your delivery address. Factor this into price comparisons.
Mistake: Missing tax-free shopping periods. Fix: Many states offer tax-free weekends (back-to-school in August, hurricane prep, Energy Star appliances). Plan major purchases around these dates to save hundreds.
Mistake: Not claiming exemptions for business purchases. Fix: If buying for resale, get a resale certificate from your state to avoid paying tax on inventory you'll collect tax on later.
| Item Price | Oregon (0%) | Florida (7%) | California (8.8%) | Louisiana (9.5%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | $100.00 | $107.00 | $108.80 | $109.50 |
| $500 | $500.00 | $535.00 | $544.00 | $547.50 |
| $1,000 | $1,000.00 | $1,070.00 | $1,088.00 | $1,095.00 |
| $5,000 | $5,000.00 | $5,350.00 | $5,440.00 | $5,475.00 |
On a $5,000 purchase, you save $475 shopping in Oregon vs. Louisiana—enough to justify a shopping trip for major purchases.
Sources & Methodology: State and local tax rates compiled from Tax Foundation, state revenue department data, and sales tax compliance databases. Rates reflect January 2026 data. Local rates shown are statewide averages; your specific location may vary. Grocery tax information reflects general categories—some prepared foods may still be taxed in exempt states. For exact rates and exemptions, consult your state's department of revenue or a qualified tax professional. Calculator updated January 2026.
U.S. sales tax rates vary dramatically by state and locality. The highest combined state + local rates are: Louisiana (11.45%), Tennessee (9.55%), Arkansas (9.46%), Washington (9.29%), and Alabama (9.25%). California has the highest base state rate at 7.25%, while Colorado has the lowest at 2.9%. Texas charges 6.25% state plus up to 2% local (8.25% max), Florida is 6% state plus up to 1.5% local, and New York is 4% state but NYC adds 4.5% for 8.5% total. Key comparison: On a $1,000 purchase, you pay $114.50 tax in Louisiana versus $70 in Florida—a $44.50 difference. State rates typically range from 4-7%, with local taxes adding 0-5% more. Always use your exact ZIP code for accurate calculations since neighboring cities can have different rates.
Five states have permanently no sales tax: Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Alaska (though Alaska allows local municipalities to charge up to 7.5%). Shopping strategies for tax-free purchases: (1) If you live within driving distance of a no-tax state, consider making major purchases there—buying a $2,000 laptop in Oregon vs. California saves $176. (2) Many states offer tax-free weekends, typically in August for back-to-school items (clothing, school supplies, computers) and before hurricane season for emergency supplies. (3) Online purchases shipped to tax-free states avoid sales tax. (4) Some states exempt specific categories entirely—Montana has no sales tax but has a 4% lodging tax. Note: Use tax may still apply when bringing purchases back to your home state for expensive items over $400-$1,000 depending on your state's threshold.
Common sales tax exemptions vary by state but typically include: GROCERIES—exempt in 32 states including California, Texas, and New York (prepared foods usually still taxed). PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS—exempt in all 50 states. CLOTHING—fully exempt in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Minnesota, and New York (for items under $110). MEDICAL EQUIPMENT—wheelchairs, prosthetics, and durable medical equipment exempt in most states. Over-the-counter medications exempt in many states. BUSINESS EXEMPTIONS—purchases for resale with valid resale certificate, manufacturing equipment and raw materials, agricultural supplies and farm equipment. TAX-FREE PERIODS—back-to-school weekends (clothing, supplies, computers), hurricane preparedness (batteries, generators, water), Energy Star appliances in some states. To claim exemptions, you typically need to present an exemption certificate at purchase or file for a refund. Check your state's department of revenue for the complete exemption list and documentation requirements.