United States · 2026
Sales tax calculator (US 2026)
Work out the sales tax on a purchase using your state’s current base rate. Sales tax in the US is set at the state level, with cities and counties free to add their own local rate on top, so the amount at the register depends on exactly where the sale happens. Enter the amount and pick a state to see the tax and the total. Because sales tax is added at checkout rather than shown in the sticker price, the figure here helps you budget before you buy, reconcile a receipt, or compare the real cost of the same item across state lines. It uses each state’s base rate, which is the floor that any local add-ons build on.
State rate only. Cities and counties often add local sales tax on top, so your checkout total can be higher.
How it works
- Sales tax is the amount multiplied by the state rate.
- Enter the pre-tax amount and choose the state; the tax is added on top and the total is the amount plus the tax.
- Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon) have no statewide sales tax.
- Cities and counties often add a local sales tax on top of the state rate, so a checkout total can be higher than the state rate alone.
- The tax is added to the pre-tax price, so the total is always the amount plus the tax; there is no discount for buying more.
- Sales tax applies to the price of the item, not to your income, which is why it is the same for every buyer regardless of what they earn.
Frequently asked questions
Does this include local sales tax?+
No. It uses the state rate only. Combined state-plus-local rates can be a few percentage points higher depending on the city or county, because those local add-ons stack directly on top of the state figure. Where a precise checkout total matters, look up the combined rate for the exact address.
Which states have no sales tax?+
Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax, though Alaska allows local sales taxes, so parts of Alaska still charge one even though the state itself does not.
Is everything taxed?+
No. Many states exempt groceries, prescription drugs or clothing, so some purchases are taxed less or not at all. The exempt categories vary widely from state to state, which is why the same shopping basket can be taxed differently across the country.
Why is sales tax not in the shelf price?+
US retailers generally quote prices before tax and add it at the register, so the amount you pay is a little above the ticket. This calculator shows that add-on before you get to the checkout, which helps when a budget has to cover the true total rather than the sticker.
Do I owe sales tax on online orders?+
Usually yes. Since a 2018 Supreme Court ruling, most out-of-state sellers collect sales tax based on where the item is delivered, so an online purchase is typically taxed at your local rate rather than the seller’s.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?+
They are cousins, not twins. US sales tax is charged once, at the final retail sale, and only to the end customer. Value-added tax, used in much of the world, is collected in stages along the supply chain. The everyday effect on a shopper is similar, but the mechanics and who remits it differ.
Last updated: 2026 tax year
This is an estimate for general guidance, not financial or tax advice. State-level base rate only. Local sales taxes and category exemptions are not included. For a precise checkout total, confirm the combined state and local rate and any category exemption for the specific address and item. Confirm with the official sources before making decisions.
Built and maintained by Vikas Dulgunde, a software engineer building money and tax tools. Figures come from the official sources above; see our editorial standards.