Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate sales tax and the final price, or reverse-calculate the pre-tax price from a tax-inclusive total.
Final price
How we calculated it
About the Sales Tax Calculator
At checkout, a tax percentage becomes a real currency amount added to the taxable price. This calculator can add that tax to a pre-tax amount or reverse a tax-inclusive total when the applicable rate is known.
Tax rules are location- and product-specific. The arithmetic is simple, but the correct rate and taxable amount may depend on local law, exemptions, discounts and how the transaction is structured.
How to Use the Sales Tax Calculator
- Enter the pre-tax price or tax-inclusive total according to the mode you are using.
- Enter the sales-tax rate that applies to the location and item.
- For reverse calculations, confirm that the entered total truly includes tax at that single rate.
- Calculate the tax and final price, then use official local rules for questions about whether an item is taxable.
How the Calculation Works
Tax amount = taxable price × tax rate ÷ 100. Tax-inclusive total = taxable price + tax amount.
When working backward from a total that includes tax, pre-tax price = total ÷ (1 + tax rate/100), and tax is the difference between total and pre-tax price.
Worked example
Sales Tax Calculator Worked Example
8.25% tax on $120
Tax = $120 × 0.0825 = $9.90. Total price = $120 + $9.90 = $129.90.
Result guide
Understanding Your Sales Tax Calculator Result
The result is the arithmetic for the rate and taxable amount entered. It does not determine which rate or exemption legally applies to a specific sale.
Before you rely on the answer
Assumptions and Limitations
- The tax rate is correct for the transaction.
- The entered price uses the correct taxable base.
- Multiple local taxes are already represented in the combined rate when appropriate.
Practical tip
Using This Result in Practice
For a purchase with discounts, determine whether the local rule taxes the original price or discounted price before calculating. Do not assume every jurisdiction handles coupons and rebates the same way.
Related calculations
Useful Calculations to Continue With
If a discount is applied before tax, calculate the reduced price with the Discount Calculator first.
If the transaction uses value-added tax rather than a U.S.-style sales tax, use the VAT Calculator.
Common questions
Sales Tax Calculator FAQ
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by 1 plus the tax rate as a decimal, then subtract the pre-tax amount from the total to find the tax.
Should tax be calculated before or after a discount?
That depends on the applicable tax rule and promotion type. Use the taxable amount required by the jurisdiction.
Can the calculator tell me the correct tax rate?
No. Rates and taxable categories change by location and transaction, so use an official tax source for the rate itself.