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Sales Tax Calculator

Calculate sales tax for any US state and see the total price after tax.

Avg local for CA: 1.6%

Total with Tax

$107

Tax: $7 at 7.2%

State Rate

7.2%

Local Rate

1.6%

Tax Amount

$7

ComponentRateAmount
Purchase Price—$100
State Tax (CA)7.2%$7
Local Tax0.0%$0
Total Tax7.2%$7
Total Cost—$107
Researched by CentCalc Financial Editorial TeamData: State revenue department rates, 2026

How This Is Calculated

This calculator applies the combined state and average local sales tax rate to your purchase amount. The total price equals the base price plus the calculated tax.

Formula: Sales Tax = Price × Combined Tax Rate. Total Price = Price + Sales Tax = Price × (1 + Combined Tax Rate).

Rate sources: State base rates come from each state's department of revenue. Average local rates are from the Tax Foundation, which calculates a population-weighted average of all local jurisdictions in each state.

Important notes: Five states have no state sales tax (AK, DE, MT, NH, OR); Alaska allows local jurisdictions to levy their own sales tax (avg ~1.8%). This calculator uses the general state rate and does not account for item-specific exemptions.

State rates: Tax Foundation (2026). Average local rates are population-weighted. Does not account for item-specific exemptions (groceries, clothing, prescriptions).

See our full methodology for every formula, data source, and assumption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which states have no sales tax?
Five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska allows local jurisdictions to levy their own sales tax, which averages about 1.8%.
How does online sales tax work?
Since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, states can require online sellers to collect sales tax even without a physical presence. Most states now have "economic nexus" laws that require collection when sales exceed a threshold.
What is the difference between sales tax and use tax?
Sales tax is collected by the seller at the time of purchase. Use tax is the equivalent amount owed by the buyer when sales tax was not collected — typically on out-of-state purchases.
Why do sales tax rates vary within the same state?
Most of the 45 states that levy a sales tax allow cities, counties, and special districts to impose additional local sales taxes on top of the state rate. For example, California's state rate is 7.25%, but combined rates range from 7.25% to 10.75% depending on the locality.

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Estimates based on state and average local rates. Actual rates vary by city and county. Does not account for item-specific exemptions.