How is sales tax calculated?

Multiply the price by the sales tax rate to get the tax amount, then add it to the price for the total.

Does this use a fixed tax rate?

No. You enter the rate that applies to your location, so it is not tied to any specific state or country.

How is this different from VAT?

The maths is similar. Sales tax is added at the final sale, while VAT is collected at each stage. Use the VAT Calculator if you also need to remove VAT.

Finance Calculators

Sales Tax Calculator

Add sales tax to a price to find the tax amount and total.

Free browser toolRuns in your browserNo sign-up

PriceCurrencySales tax (%)

Total price

$108.25

$8.25

Tax amount

$108.25

Total price

The tax amount is the price multiplied by the tax rate, and the total price is the price plus that tax. Enter the rate that applies to your location.

Sales tax formula

Sales tax is calculated from the taxable price and added to produce the checkout total.

Tax = Price x rate / 100; Total = Price + Tax

Price: Taxable amount before tax
Rate: Applicable sales tax percentage

Worked example

An 8% tax on $50 is $4, producing a $54 total.

Practical tips

Confirm the local rate
State, city and product-specific rates may all affect the actual charge.
Check taxable items
Some goods, services or discounts may be exempt or treated differently.

About the Sales Tax Calculator

The Sales Tax Calculator adds a sales tax rate to a price to find the tax amount and the total you pay.

The tax amount is the price multiplied by the rate, and the total is the price plus that tax.

You enter the rate yourself, so it works for any state, region or product. All calculations run in your browser.

Key features

Tax amount and total price
Works with any tax rate
Locale-aware currency formatting
Instant browser-based calculation

How to use

1Enter the price and choose a currency.
2Enter the sales tax rate.
3Read the tax amount and the total price.

Examples

Add sales tax

Input: 50 plus 8% tax

Output: Tax 4, total 54

8% of 50 is 4, which is added to the price.

Frequently asked questions

How is sales tax calculated?: Multiply the price by the sales tax rate to get the tax amount, then add it to the price for the total.
Does this use a fixed tax rate?: No. You enter the rate that applies to your location, so it is not tied to any specific state or country.
How is this different from VAT?: The maths is similar. Sales tax is added at the final sale, while VAT is collected at each stage. Use the VAT Calculator if you also need to remove VAT.

Open a related tool to prepare your files or refine the finished result.