Sales Tax Calculator
Estimate the total cost of your purchases including 2026 state and local sales tax across the USA.
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
- Enter Amount - Input the pre-tax price of the item or service.
- Select State - Choose the state where the transaction occurs to pull the base rate.
- Add Local Rate - Look up your city or county local rate (e.g. 1.5%) and add it to refine the estimate.
Calculation Formula & Example
The Formula
Total = Price × (1 + (State Rate + Local Rate) / 100)
Where:
- State Rate = Varies from 0% to 7.25% depending on the state.
- Local Rate = Optional surcharges added by cities or counties.
Example Calculation
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 of Using This Calculator
- 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.
Calculator Use Cases
Estimate taxes on cars, electronics, or appliances.
Calculate the effective cost of items in different states while on a road trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
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