Sales tax calculator
Add sales tax to a price, or work out how much tax is inside a total that already includes it. Enter the combined rate for where the sale happens and see the tax, the total and the effective rate.
Result
Total with tax
$0
| Pre-tax amount | $0 |
| Sales tax | $0 |
| Total the customer pays | $0 |
Two formulas, one combined rate
Sales tax is charged as a percentage of the pre-tax price. The rate you use is the combined rate: the state rate plus any county, city and special district rates that apply where the sale happens.
Adding tax to a pre-tax price:
Working back from a total that already includes tax. You can't just take the rate off the total, because the tax was worked out on the smaller, pre-tax number:
Example: $20 including 8.25% tax is $18.48 of revenue plus $1.52 of tax. Taking 8.25% off $20 would give $18.35, which is wrong.
Taxable or exempt? Each state decides what is taxable. Groceries, clothing, digital goods and shipping charges are treated differently from state to state, so check the rules for what you sell. Where you have to collect at all depends on nexus; read sales tax for online sellers for the basics, or see how AjVik handles sales tax at checkout.
This tool is for quick estimates and is not tax advice. It doesn't account for exemptions, tax holidays, caps or product-specific rates. Confirm rates with your state's department of revenue, and talk to your accountant about filing.
Sales tax calculator questions
Can't find what you're looking for? Our team replies within one working day.
What is a combined sales tax rate?
In most of the US, sales tax is stacked from more than one government. The combined rate is the state rate plus any county, city and special district rates (such as a transit district) that apply at the place of sale. For shipped orders that is usually the delivery address. Look up the combined rate for the exact address on your state's department of revenue website.
When would I work back from a tax-included total?
At pop-up markets, craft fairs, farmers markets and events, many sellers price in round numbers with tax already included, like $20 flat. Choose "Total already includes tax" to see how much of each sale is your revenue and how much is sales tax you owe the state. Check that your state allows tax-included pricing and how it must be shown to shoppers.
Is everything I sell taxable?
Not always. Each state decides what is taxable and what is exempt. Groceries, clothing, digital products and shipping charges are common examples that are treated differently from state to state. Check your state's rules for each kind of product before you set up tax at checkout.
Do I have to collect sales tax in states where I am not based?
Possibly. You collect where you have nexus: a physical presence, or economic nexus once your sales into a state pass that state's threshold. Many states use $100,000 in sales, but the rules differ. Our guide to sales tax for online sellers explains the basics.
Why does my receipt differ by a cent?
Tax is rounded to the cent, sometimes per line and sometimes per order, depending on the state and your system. This calculator rounds the tax once on the whole sale, so a one-cent difference from a per-line receipt is normal.
Does AjVik calculate sales tax at checkout?
Yes. AjVik works out sales tax at checkout from the delivery address and shows it to the shopper before they pay, then reports what was collected so you can file. AjVik does not file or remit sales tax for you; you or your accountant do that.
Let checkout work out the sales tax for you.
AjVik calculates sales tax from the delivery address at checkout and reports what you collected, ready for filing.
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