Sales Tax Calculator: Add Tax or Find the Pre-Tax Price
Add sales tax to any price, or reverse it to find what something cost before tax.
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Sales Tax Formulas
Pre-tax price = Total ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100)
Example: $250 at 8.25% sales tax is $20.63 in tax, $270.63 in total. Working backward, a $108.25 receipt at 8.25% was $100 before tax.
A common mistake when reversing tax is to subtract the rate from the total: $108.25 − 8.25% = $99.32, not $100. Always divide.
Tax on Common Amounts
| Price | 5% | 6% | 7% | 8.25% | 10% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10.00 | $0.50 | $0.60 | $0.70 | $0.83 | $1.00 |
| $50.00 | $2.50 | $3.00 | $3.50 | $4.13 | $5.00 |
| $100.00 | $5.00 | $6.00 | $7.00 | $8.25 | $10.00 |
| $500.00 | $25.00 | $30.00 | $35.00 | $41.25 | $50.00 |
| $1,000.00 | $50.00 | $60.00 | $70.00 | $82.50 | $100.00 |
How US Sales Tax Works
- There is no federal sales tax. States set a base rate and cities, counties and special districts can add their own, so the rate depends on the exact address.
- Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon. Some local areas in Alaska still charge one.
- Many states exempt or reduce tax on groceries and prescription drugs.
- Online purchases are generally taxed at the rate where the item is delivered.
Rates change, so check your state revenue department for the current combined rate before using it for business records.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I calculate sales tax backwards?
Divide the total by 1 plus the tax rate as a decimal. For a $54 total at 8%, $54 ÷ 1.08 = $50 before tax.
How much is 7% sales tax on $100?
$7, for a total of $107.
Is sales tax calculated before or after discounts?
After store discounts in most states — tax applies to the price you actually pay. Manufacturer coupons may be treated differently.
Which states have no sales tax?
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax.