Sales Tax Calculator

Easily calculate sales tax to add to a price or remove from a tax-inclusive amount. Perfect for shoppers, retailers, accountants, and small business owners.

Calculations use standard percentage formulas. All inputs are processed client-side for privacy.

Amount

Enter the base amount or tax-inclusive total

Tax Rate (%)

Enter the sales tax percentage (e.g., 8.5)

Calculation Type

Add Tax

Remove Tax

Results

Original Amount: -

Tax Rate: -

Tax Amount: -

Total Amount: -

Understanding Sales Tax Calculations

Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by governments on the sale of goods and services. Calculating sales tax correctly is essential for businesses to remain compliant and for consumers to understand their purchases.

How to Use This Calculator

Enter the dollar amount in the "Amount" field
Input your local sales tax rate as a percentage
Select whether you want to add tax to the amount or remove tax from a tax-inclusive total
Click "Calculate" to see the results

Calculation Formulas

Adding Tax:

Tax Amount = Original Amount × (Tax Rate ÷ 100)

Total Amount = Original Amount + Tax Amount

Removing Tax:

Original Amount = Total Amount ÷ (1 + (Tax Rate ÷ 100))

Tax Amount = Total Amount - Original Amount

Practical Examples

Scenario	Amount	Tax Rate	Tax Amount	Total
Adding tax to $100	$100.00	8.5%	$8.50	$108.50
Removing tax from $108.50	$100.00	8.5%	$8.50	$108.50

Common Sales Tax Rates

California

7.25%

New York

4.00%

Texas

6.25%

Florida

6.00%

Note: Sales tax rates vary by jurisdiction and may include state, county, city, and special district taxes. Always verify the current rate for your specific location.

Tax Rate Comparison

See how different tax rates affect your total amount. Enter an amount below to compare.

Amount to Compare

Tax Rate	Tax Amount	Total	Difference from 0%

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between sales tax and VAT?

Sales tax is only applied at the final point of sale to consumers, while Value Added Tax (VAT) is applied at each stage of the production and distribution process. This calculator works for both, though VAT calculations might have additional complexities in practice.

How do I handle different tax rates for different items?

This calculator is designed for single items or totals with one tax rate. For transactions with multiple items taxed at different rates, you would need to calculate tax for each item separately and then sum the results.

Why is removing tax different from just subtracting the percentage?

When you have a tax-inclusive price, the tax is already part of the total. To find the original price before tax, you need to divide by (1 + tax rate) rather than simply subtracting the percentage. This accounts for the fact that the tax was calculated on the original amount, not the total.

What if my location has multiple overlapping tax jurisdictions?

In areas with state, county, and city taxes, you would typically add all the rates together to get a combined tax rate to use in the calculator. For example, if state tax is 6%, county tax is 1%, and city tax is 0.5%, you would enter 7.5% as your total tax rate.

Disclaimer

This sales tax calculator is for informational and educational purposes only. While we strive for accuracy, tax laws and rates change frequently and vary by jurisdiction. This tool does not constitute professional tax advice and should not be relied upon for financial decisions. Always verify tax rates with your local tax authority and consult with a qualified tax professional for specific advice.

References

Sales tax calculation methods - Standard accounting practices
State and local tax rate databases - Various government publications
Value Added Tax vs. Sales Tax - OECD comparative analysis
Tax calculation precision guidelines - Financial accounting standards

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Sales Tax Calculator - Add or Remove Tax

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