Sales Tax Calculator
Two directions, one tool: type a price and a tax rate to see the total at checkout, or type a tax-inclusive total and strip the tax back out to find the pre-tax amount — the thing freelancers need when an invoice total includes VAT or sales tax and the books need it separate.
US sales tax rates vary by state, county and even city, from 0% to over 10%, which is why the rate is always an input here, never a guess. Enter the rate printed on your receipt or your state's published rate and everything calculates instantly.
How to use
- To add tax: type the pre-tax price and your tax rate — the tax amount and total appear instantly.
- To remove tax: switch to the reverse tab, type the tax-inclusive total and the rate — the pre-tax price appears.
- Check the breakdown line for the exact tax amount to record in your books.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax backwards from a total?
Divide the total by (1 + rate). A $110 total at 10% tax contains $10 of tax: 110 ÷ 1.10 = $100 pre-tax. The reverse tab does this instantly — subtracting 10% directly would give the wrong answer ($99).
How much is sales tax in the US?
There is no federal sales tax. State rates run from 0% (Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire) to 7.25%+ in California, and local additions can push combined rates past 9–10% in some cities. Use the combined rate for your address.
Is sales tax charged on top of shipping?
Increasingly yes — most states now require tax on shipping when the shipped item is taxable. The rules are state-specific, so check your state's department of revenue page.
Why can't I just subtract the tax percentage from the total?
Because the tax was calculated on the smaller pre-tax amount. Subtracting 10% from $110 gives $99, but the true pre-tax price is $100. Division by (1 + rate) is the correct reversal — this calculator handles it.