Sales Tax Calculator

Quickly Calculate Your Total Purchase Cost

Our Sales Tax Calculator helps you determine the total cost of a purchase, including sales tax. Enter the pre-tax price and your local sales tax rate to find out the tax amount and the final price you'll pay. This tool is invaluable for budgeting and managing your shopping expenses.

The Sales Tax Formula Explained

1. Sales Tax Amount: Tax = Pre-tax Price * (Tax Rate / 100)
2. Total Price: Total = Pre-tax Price + Sales Tax Amount

How to Use the Calculator

1. Pre-tax Price: Enter the price of the item before tax is applied.
2. Tax Rate (%): Input your state or local sales tax rate as a percentage.
3. Calculate: The calculator will display both the amount of sales tax and the final total price.

Real-World Example

You are buying a laptop for $1,200 in a state with a 7.5% sales tax.

• Pre-tax Price: $1,200
• Tax Rate: 7.5%
• Sales Tax Amount: $1200 * (7.5 / 100) = $90
• Total Price: $1200 + $90 = $1,290

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What's the difference between sales tax, VAT, and GST? They are all forms of consumption tax. Sales tax is typically only charged on the final sale to the consumer in the US. Value-Added Tax (VAT) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) are used in many other countries and are levied at each stage of the supply chain.
• How do I find my local sales tax rate? Sales tax rates vary by state, county, and even city. You can usually find the current rate by searching online for "sales tax rate in [your city, state]".
• Can I calculate the pre-tax price if I only know the total? Yes, you would rearrange the formula: Pre-tax Price = Total Price / (1 + (Tax Rate / 100)). Our VAT and GST calculators include this 'remove tax' function.