US Sales Tax Calculator 2026 — All 50 States
Sales tax is a consumption tax collected by US states and local governments at the point of sale. Unlike VAT (used in Europe and India's GST), US sales tax is not included in the displayed price — it's added at checkout. This makes calculating the real cost of a purchase essential, especially for budgeting, business pricing, and online shopping across state lines.
⚡ Sales Tax Rates — Quick Reference 2026
🚫 No sales tax statesOR, MT, NH, DE, AK
🏆 Highest state rateCalifornia — 7.25%
Highest combined (state + local)Up to 10.75% (LA, CA)
Average US combined rate~7.0%
Texas state rate6.25% (up to 8.25% w/local)
New York state rate4% state + local (NYC = 8.875%)
Florida state rate6% (up to 7.5% w/local)
Groceries taxed?Exempt in most states
Which States Have No Sales Tax?
Five states have zero state-level sales tax: Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Alaska. Alaska allows local municipalities to collect sales tax but has no statewide rate. Residents of neighboring states often cross state lines for large purchases — a common strategy for buying electronics, furniture, or vehicles.
How Sales Tax is Calculated
Sales tax is straightforward: Tax Amount = Purchase Price × Tax Rate. A $500 laptop in California (7.25%) costs $500 × 0.0725 = $36.25 in tax, making the total $536.25. For reverse calculation (finding the pre-tax price when you only know the total paid): Pre-tax Price = Total ÷ (1 + Rate). A $107.25 total at 7.25% means $107.25 ÷ 1.0725 = $100 pre-tax.
State Rate vs Combined Rate
Every state sets a base rate, but counties and cities add their own on top. New York state charges 4% — but New York City adds 4.875%, making the combined rate 8.875%. Tennessee has a 7% state rate but many counties add 2.75%, reaching 9.75%. Always check local rates for accurate estimates — especially for business pricing.
What is Reverse Sales Tax?
Reverse sales tax lets you find the original pre-tax price when you only know the total amount paid. Useful for expense reimbursements, business accounting, or verifying a receipt. Switch to "Remove Tax from Total" mode above and enter the total amount — the calculator shows exactly how much was tax and how much was the actual item price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which US states have no sales tax?+
Five states have no state sales tax: Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Alaska. Alaska allows local municipalities to impose sales tax but has no statewide rate. These states are popular shopping destinations — many people living near Oregon or Montana borders make large purchases there to avoid sales tax in neighboring states like California or Idaho.
What is the highest sales tax in the US?+
California has the highest statewide base rate at 7.25%. But when local district taxes are added, some areas of California reach 10.75%. Louisiana (4.45% state + high local) and Tennessee (7% state + up to 2.75% local) also frequently exceed 9–10% combined. The average combined rate across all US states is approximately 7.0%.
Are groceries taxed in the US?+
Most US states exempt groceries from sales tax or tax them at a reduced rate. States that fully exempt groceries include California, New York, Texas, Florida, Illinois, and many others. Some states like Tennessee and Arkansas tax groceries but at a lower rate than general merchandise. Prepared food (restaurant meals, takeout) is almost always taxed even in states that exempt grocery items.
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?+
Yes — since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, online retailers are required to collect sales tax in states where they have "economic nexus" (typically $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions). This means major online stores like Amazon, Walmart.com, and most large retailers now collect sales tax based on your delivery address. Small sellers below the threshold may not collect it.
What is a sales tax holiday?+
A sales tax holiday is a period — usually a weekend or week — when a state temporarily removes sales tax on certain items. Common examples: back-to-school weekends (clothing, school supplies under a dollar limit), disaster preparedness weekends (generators, flashlights), and energy-efficient appliance weekends. States like Florida, Texas, and Missouri hold these regularly. Check your state's Department of Revenue for current dates.