Sales Tax Calculator
Estimate the total cost of your purchases including 2026 state and local sales tax across the USA.
Last updated: May 2026
Reviewed by CA Rohit Sharma
•Chartered Accountant & Tax ExpertExpert in Indian taxation, corporate finance, and mortgage compliance. Rohit ensures that all tax-related calculations and loan eligibility criteria align with current regulatory standards. All mathematical models and regulatory data points have been verified for the current 2026 fiscal period.
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.