Sales Tax Calculator 2026
Calculate combined state and local sales tax on any purchase in any US state. Compare with tax-free states to see your savings.
How to Use the Sales Tax Calculator
- Enter the item price (before tax).
- Select the state where the purchase is delivered or where the store is located.
- Review the combined state + local rate and the total tax owed.
- Use the Tax Savings Comparator to see the difference versus a tax-free state.
Sales Tax Calculation Formula
combinedRate = stateRate + localRate salesTax = price × combinedRate total = price + salesTax
State-by-State Sales Tax Differences
Combined rates range from 0% in the five tax-free states to over 11% in high-tax areas like Louisiana and parts of Illinois and California. Local district taxes can add 1%–5% on top of the state rate, so the same item costs noticeably more depending on the exact address.
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In-Depth Guide
Worked Example
Suppose you buy a $1,200 laptop in a city where the state rate is 6.25% and the local add-on is 2.0%, for a combined rate of 8.25%. The tax is $1,200 times 0.0825, or $99.00, and you pay $1,299 at the checkout. Now compare a trip to Oregon, which has no state or local sales tax; the same laptop costs $1,200, saving the full $99. Five states skip sales tax entirely: Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon, while Alaska has no state rate but many boroughs add local tax. Combined rates nationwide run from about 4% to 11.5% depending on location and item. The calculator lets you pick a state and a local district to estimate the exact combined bite before you buy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Shoppers often assume the advertised state rate is the rate they pay, but local districts routinely add 1% to 5% on top, pushing the real rate well above the headline. Another mistake is ignoring that some items are exempt: most states exempt groceries, and many exempt prescription drugs, while clothing is taxed in some places and not others. Food sold for home consumption often carries a reduced rate. People also forget that use tax may be due when you buy online from an out-of-state seller with no nexus, though marketplace facilitators now usually collect it for you. Always enter both the state and the local jurisdiction to get a number you can trust.
When to Consult a Tax Professional
For a single retail purchase the calculator is enough, but talk to a professional if you run a business. Sales tax compliance for sellers involves nexus rules that changed after the Wayfair decision, registration in multiple states, and product-specific exemptions that vary by jurisdiction. Out-of-state contractors and remote sellers face the most complexity. If you are auditing your own records or responding to a state notice, an accountant who handles sales and use tax will save more than they cost. The guide here is for buyers estimating a bill, not for sellers managing filings and remittance.
Sources & Further Reading
Current state and local rates are published by the Federation of Tax Administrators at TaxAdmin.org. The IRS explains use tax obligations for individuals at IRS.gov. For population and economic context behind local tax bases, the Census Bureau offers data at Census.gov. The calculator's rate table is built from these sources so the example above matches what you will see.
Disclaimer: SaveTaxUS calculators provide estimates only and do not constitute official tax advice. All calculations run locally in your browser — we never upload your income, property, or financial data.
Data source: Rates are based on publicly available 2026 IRS federal brackets and state tax publications. For formal filing, consult a licensed CPA. Last updated: July 2026.