Sales Tax Calculator
Estimate the total cost of your purchases including 2026 state and local sales tax across the USA.
Last updated: April 2026
How does US Sales Tax work?
Unlike many countries with a national Value Added Tax (VAT), the United States has no federal sales tax. Instead, sales taxes are governed at the state and local levels.
State Tax: 45 states (and D.C.) impose a statewide sales tax. 5 states (AK, DE, MT, NH, OR) do not have a statewide sales tax.
Local Tax: Within those states, thousands of local jurisdictions (counties, cities, and special districts) add their own surcharges, often to fund infrastructure, schools, or transit.
How to use this calculator
- 1Enter Amount — Input the pre-tax price of the item or service.
- 2Select State — Choose the state where the transaction occurs to pull the base rate.
- 3Add Local Rate — Look up your city or county local rate (e.g. 1.5%) and add it to refine the estimate.
Formula & example
Total = Price × (1 + (State Rate + Local Rate) / 100)
Buying a $1,000 laptop in Los Angeles, California:
State Rate (7.25%) + Local Rate (2.25%) = 9.5%.
Total Tax = $95. Total Cost = $1,095.
Benefits
Budgeting Accuracy
Don't be surprised at the checkout counter; know the final price in advance.
Business Expense Tracking
Accurately estimate taxes for business equipment purchases.
Comparison Shopping
See how much you save by driving to a neighboring county with lower local rates.
Use cases
Major Purchases
Estimate taxes on cars, electronics, or appliances.
Travel Planning
Calculate the effective cost of items in different states while on a road trip.
Frequently asked questions
Are some items exempt from sales tax?+
Often yes. Many states exempt groceries, prescription drugs, and sometimes clothing (up to a limit) from sales tax.
What is Use Tax?+
If you buy something online from a seller that doesn't collect sales tax, your state may require you to pay 'Use Tax' on that purchase at the same rate as sales tax.