Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate the final price after sales tax — with any rate you enter. Add tax to a price or work backward from a tax-included total.
Your result
Final price (with tax)
$64.79
Tax amount: $4.80 at 8%
Before tax
$59.99
Tax
$4.80
With tax
$64.79
Tax rates vary by country, state, and city. Verify the applicable rate with the relevant government or tax authority before relying on this estimate.
What sales tax is
Sales tax is a percentage-based consumption tax that retailers collect at checkout on behalf of government authorities. In the United States it is typically a stack of state, county, and city taxes — which is why the same item can ring up differently a few miles apart. Many other countries use value-added tax (VAT), usually already included in the displayed price.
This calculator accepts any rate you enter rather than assuming one jurisdiction, because there is no single correct rate. The example buttons are starting points only — always verify your applicable rate with the relevant government or tax authority.
How sales tax is calculated
Tax is the rate times the taxable price, and the total is the price plus that tax. At 8% on $59.99: tax = $59.99 × 0.08 = $4.80, total = $64.79. Discounts normally come off first, so tax applies to the reduced subtotal — a small bonus on every coupon.
Pre-tax vs. after-tax price
The pre-tax price is what the seller charges (the shelf tag, the “subtotal” on receipts); the after-tax price is what leaves your wallet (the receipt “total”). Budgets should always use after-tax figures, because that is the money you actually spend.
To work backward from an after-tax total, divide by one plus the rate: $108 at 8% is $108 ÷ 1.08 = $100 pre-tax. Use the calculator’s “Remove tax” mode for this — and note that subtracting 8% of the total ($8.64) gives the wrong answer ($99.36), because 8% of the total exceeds 8% of the base.
How to calculate tax manually
Round the rate to a friendly number: at 8.25%, estimate with 8% by moving the price decimal two places and multiplying by 8. For $40: $0.40 × 8 = $3.20 tax, about $43.20 total. For budgeting, many shoppers round up to 10% so the register is a pleasant surprise.
In-aisle estimate
Examples
| Pre-tax | Rate | Tax | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| $24.00 | 6% | $1.44 | $25.44 |
| $59.99 | 8% | $4.80 | $64.79 |
| $1,200.00 | 9.5% | $114.00 | $1,314.00 |
| $100.00 | 20% VAT | $20.00 | $120.00 |
Location disclaimer: tax rates, rules, and exemptions vary by country, state, county, and city, and they change over time. Verify the applicable rate with the relevant government or tax authority before relying on any estimate.
Frequently asked questions
How do I add 8% sales tax to a price?
Multiply the price by 1.08. $50 with 8% tax is $50 × 1.08 = $54.00. The tax itself is $50 × 0.08 = $4.00.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal. At 8%, divide by 1.08: $108 ÷ 1.08 = $100 pre-tax. Switch the calculator to “Remove tax” mode to do this automatically.
Why is sales tax different in different places?
Rates combine state, county, and city taxes, so neighboring towns can differ. Some places also exempt groceries, medicine, or clothing. Always verify your local combined rate with the relevant tax authority.
Is tax charged on the sale price or original price?
Usually the sale price — discounts reduce the taxable subtotal first. Rules vary by jurisdiction, so check locally for big purchases.
What’s the difference between sales tax and VAT?
Sales tax is added at checkout on top of the displayed price (common in the US). VAT is typically included in the displayed price (common in Europe). The math is the same percentage operation.
Educational information only. For educational and informational purposes only. This website does not provide personalized financial, investment, tax, or legal advice.