Sales Tax Calculator
A sales tax calculator adds tax to a price, takes tax out of a total, or works out the tax rate from a receipt. Enter the amounts and the rate, and it shows the tax, the before-tax price, the total and each step. Remove tax mode also works for prices that include VAT or GST.
To go back, divide the total by (1 + rate). Don't subtract.
3 Sales Tax Formulas
Sales tax links the price before tax, the tax rate and the total. Know two, find the third.
Add Tax
"$80 at 8% tax."
Remove Tax
"$54 total, including 8% tax."
Find the Rate
"$40 subtotal, $43.30 total."
How to Remove Tax Correctly
The tax was worked out on the price before tax, not on the total, so subtracting the rate from the total takes off too much.
Sales Tax Table
The tax on common prices at common rates, rounded to the nearest cent. Tax rates differ by state, county and city, so check your local rate.
| Rate | On $10 | On $25 | On $50 | On $100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5% | $0.50 | $1.25 | $2.50 | $5.00 |
| 6% | $0.60 | $1.50 | $3.00 | $6.00 |
| 7% | $0.70 | $1.75 | $3.50 | $7.00 |
| 8% | $0.80 | $2.00 | $4.00 | $8.00 |
| 8.25% | $0.83 | $2.06 | $4.13 | $8.25 |
| 9.5% | $0.95 | $2.38 | $4.75 | $9.50 |
| 10% | $1.00 | $2.50 | $5.00 | $10.00 |
How to Use the Sales Tax Calculator
Add tax, remove it, or find the rate in 4 steps.
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Pick a Mode
Add tax to a price, Remove tax from a total, or Find the rate from a receipt.
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Enter the Amounts
Type the price or total and the tax rate. Rates with decimals, like 8.875, work.
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Read the Result
See the before-tax price, the tax, the total and the multiplier, rounded to the cent.
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Check the Working
Each step is shown, so you can repeat it on any calculator.
Sales Tax on a 4 Function Calculator
Each formula is a few key presses on any basic calculator.
$80 + 8% Tax
Tax Out of $54
$40 → $43.30
Sales Tax Examples
Everyday purchases, receipts and VAT prices.
Grocery Run
$64.20 of taxable items at 6%.
New Laptop
An $899 laptop at 7.25%.
Check a Receipt
Subtotal $100.00, total $107.70.
Price Including VAT
A 60 price including 20% VAT.
Discount, Then Tax
$80 at 25% off, then 8% tax.
Shopping Budget
Spend at most $200 including 7% tax.
Read How to Calculate Sales Tax for mental-math tricks and rounding, or use the Percent Off Calculator to work out a sale price first.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal. At 8%, tax on $80 is 80 × 0.08 = $6.40. To get the total in one step, multiply by 1 plus the rate: 80 × 1.08 = $86.40.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the total by 1 plus the tax rate as a decimal. A $54 total at 8% tax is 54 ÷ 1.08 = $50 before tax, so the tax was $4. Subtracting 8% of the total (54 × 0.92 = $49.68) gives the wrong answer.
How do I find the sales tax rate from a receipt?
Subtract the subtotal from the total, divide by the subtotal, and multiply by 100. A $40 subtotal with a $43.30 total has a rate of 3.30 ÷ 40 × 100 = 8.25%.
Is sales tax charged before or after a discount?
In most places sales tax is charged on the price after store discounts. Rules for manufacturer coupons vary by state and country, so check your receipt. Work out the sale price with the Percent Off Calculator, then add tax here.
How do I take VAT or GST out of a price?
Use the Remove tax mode. A price of 120 that includes 20% VAT is 120 ÷ 1.2 = 100 before VAT, so the VAT is 20.
Why is my receipt a cent different from the calculator?
Stores round tax to the nearest cent, and some calculate tax on each item instead of on the total. Rounding many small amounts can move the final total by a cent or two.