How This Sales Tax Calculator Works
Sales tax is a percentage added to the price of taxable goods and services. This calculator handles both directions. Adding tax: total = price × (1 + combined rate), and tax = total − price. Removing tax: net price = tax-inclusive price ÷ (1 + combined rate), and tax = tax-inclusive price − net price. The combined rate is the state base rate plus whatever local rate you enter.
Add: total = price × (1 + rate) · Remove: net = total ÷ (1 + rate)
Example: combined rate = state base rate + local rate you enter. Rates are base rates only — exemptions (for example groceries in some states) are not modelled.
Worked example (California, add tax): a $100 price, California state rate 7.25% and no local rate entered. Tax = $100 × 7.25% = $7.25, total = $107.25.
Worked example (California, remove tax): a $100 tax-inclusive price at the same 7.25% rate. Net price = $100 ÷ 1.0725 = $93.24, and the tax inside that price is $100 − $93.24 = $6.76. Notice the tax removed ($6.76) is smaller than the tax added to $100 ($7.25) — because the $100 in the second example already includes the tax.
Practical tips
Local city and county rates can add several percentage points. If your result looks low compared with a receipt, a missing local rate is the usual reason — enter it above.
The Tax Foundation state rates shown here include those states' mandatory statewide local add-ons (California 1.25%, Utah 1.25%, Virginia 1%). Do not add those add-ons again in the local field.
Exemptions differ by state — groceries, clothing and services are treated differently in different states. This tool calculates the rate you give it; it does not decide whether an item is taxable.
Rates change and local rules are detailed. For a business filing, or for a large purchase, confirm the rate with your state revenue department before you rely on it.
State base sales tax rates (Tax Foundation, January 2025)
These are statewide base rates only. They do not include city or county rates, which is why the calculator lets you add a local rate yourself. Rates are date-stamped: Tax Foundation, “2025 Sales Tax Rates by State”, combined state and average local rates as of January 2025, sources: Sales Tax Clearinghouse, Tax Foundation calculations and state revenue department websites.
| State | State base rate |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 4% |
| Alaska | 0% |
| Arizona | 5.6% |
| Arkansas | 6.5% |
| California | 7.25% |
| Colorado | 2.9% |
| Connecticut | 6.35% |
| Delaware | 0% |
| District of Columbia | 6% |
| Florida | 6% |
| Georgia | 4% |
| Hawaii | 4% |
| Idaho | 6% |
| Illinois | 6.25% |
| Indiana | 7% |
| Iowa | 6% |
| Kansas | 6.5% |
| Kentucky | 6% |
| Louisiana | 5% |
| Maine | 5.5% |
| Maryland | 6% |
| Massachusetts | 6.25% |
| Michigan | 6% |
| Minnesota | 6.875% |
| Mississippi | 7% |
| Missouri | 4.225% |
| Montana | 0% |
| Nebraska | 5.5% |
| Nevada | 6.85% |
| New Hampshire | 0% |
| New Jersey | 6.625% |
| New Mexico | 4.875% |
| New York | 4% |
| North Carolina | 4.75% |
| North Dakota | 5% |
| Ohio | 5.75% |
| Oklahoma | 4.5% |
| Oregon | 0% |
| Pennsylvania | 6% |
| Rhode Island | 7% |
| South Carolina | 6% |
| South Dakota | 4.2% |
| Tennessee | 7% |
| Texas | 6.25% |
| Utah | 6.1% |
| Vermont | 6% |
| Virginia | 5.3% |
| Washington | 6.5% |
| West Virginia | 6% |
| Wisconsin | 5% |
| Wyoming | 4% |
Source and date: Tax Foundation, January 2025. If a rate has changed since then, the calculator will still use the rate shown here until this page is updated — enter the current rate in the local field only if you need a different combined rate, or check the official state source.