Sales Tax Calculator by State: Calculate Your Final Price + Reference Guide

What Is Sales Tax?

Sales tax is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and services. The tax applies to your subtotal before checkout, and the amount varies significantly depending on where you shop.

Key facts about sales tax:

Imposed by states and local municipalities
Added at point of purchase (checkout)
Required to be collected by retailers
Used to fund public services and infrastructure
Varies by location AND sometimes by product type

Sales Tax Calculation Formula

The formula for calculating sales tax is straightforward:

Tax Amount = Original Price × (Tax Rate ÷ 100)
Total Price = Original Price + Tax Amount

Example 1: Simple Purchase

Scenario: You buy a $75 item in a state with 8% sales tax.

Tax Amount = $75 × (8 ÷ 100) = $75 × 0.08 = $6.00
Total Price = $75 + $6.00 = $81.00

Use our tax calculator to verify instantly.

States with NO Sales Tax

Five US states have zero state-level sales tax:

State	State Tax	Local Tax Possible	Notes
Delaware	0%	No	Completely tax-free
Montana	0%	No	No sales tax anywhere
New Hampshire	0%	No	Free state-wide
Oregon	0%	No	Except gas/cigarettes
Alaska	0%	Yes	State has none; cities may

These states are popular for major online purchases and cross-border shopping specifically because of zero sales tax.

State Sales Tax Rates (Complete Reference)

Comprehensive guide to sales tax rates by state:

State	State Rate	Typical Local	Combined Range	Notes
Alabama	4%	0-7%	4-11%	High with local
Alaska	0%	0-7.5%	0-7.5%	No state tax
Arizona	5.6%	0-5.1%	5.6-10.7%	Medium-high
Arkansas	6.5%	0-5.5%	6.5-12%	Highest potential
California	7.25%	0-3.5%	7.25-10.75%	Varies widely
Colorado	2.9%	0-5.1%	2.9-8%	Lowest state rate
Connecticut	6.35%	None	6.35%	Flat rate
Delaware	0%	None	0%	No sales tax
Florida	6%	0-2.5%	6-8.5%	Moderate
Georgia	4%	0-4%	4-8%	Medium
Hawaii	4%	0-0.5%	4-4.5%	Low rate
Idaho	6%	0-3%	6-9%	Medium
Illinois	6.25%	0-2.25%	6.25-8.5%	Medium
Indiana	7%	None	7%	Flat state rate
Iowa	6%	0-1%	6-7%	Low
Kansas	5.7%	0-3.85%	5.7-9.55%	Medium
Kentucky	6%	None	6%	Flat state rate
Louisiana	4.45%	0-7.5%	4.45-11.95%	Highest total
Maine	5.5%	None	5.5%	Flat rate
Maryland	6%	None	6%	Flat state rate
Massachusetts	6.25%	None	6.25%	Flat rate
Michigan	6%	None	6%	Flat state rate
Minnesota	6.875%	None	6.875%	Flat rate
Mississippi	7%	0-1%	7-8%	High
Missouri	4.225%	0-5.975%	4.225-10.2%	Wide variation
Montana	0%	None	0%	No sales tax
Nebraska	5.5%	0-1.5%	5.5-7%	Low-medium
Nevada	6.85%	0-1.5%	6.85-8.35%	Medium
New Hampshire	0%	None	0%	No sales tax
New Jersey	6.625%	None	6.625%	Flat rate
New Mexico	5.125%	0-3.6875%	5.125-8.8125%	Medium
New York	4%	0-4.625%	4-8.625%	NYC highest
North Carolina	4.75%	0-2.75%	4.75-7.5%	Medium
North Dakota	5%	0-2%	5-7%	Low
Ohio	5.75%	0-2.25%	5.75-8%	Medium
Oklahoma	4.5%	0-6.5%	4.5-11%	High potential
Oregon	0%	None	0%	No sales tax
Pennsylvania	6%	0-2%	6-8%	Medium
Rhode Island	7%	None	7%	High flat rate
South Carolina	5%	0-3%	5-8%	Medium
South Dakota	4.5%	0-4.2%	4.5-8.7%	Medium
Tennessee	7%	0-2.55%	7-9.55%	High
Texas	6.25%	0-2%	6.25-8.25%	Medium-high
Utah	4.85%	0-3.15%	4.85-8%	Medium
Vermont	6%	None	6%	Flat rate
Virginia	5.3%	0-0.7%	5.3-6%	Low-medium
Washington	6.5%	0-3.6%	6.5-10.1%	Medium-high
West Virginia	6%	None	6%	Flat rate
Wisconsin	5%	0-1.8%	5-6.8%	Low
Wyoming	4%	0-2%	4-6%	Low

Real-World Sales Tax Examples by State

Understanding tax impact across different locations:

Item	Price	CA (8.5%)	TX (8.25%)	NY (8.625%)	TN (9.55%)	FL (7%)
$100 gadget	$100	$108.50	$108.25	$108.63	$109.55	$107
$500 jacket	$500	$542.50	$541.25	$543.13	$547.75	$535
$2,000 laptop	$2,000	$2,170	$2,165	$2,172.50	$2,191	$2,140
$25,000 car	$25,000	$27,125	$27,062.50	$27,156.25	$27,387.50	$26,750

A $25,000 vehicle purchase can cost $637.50 more in Tennessee than in Florida—just from tax differences.

Tax-Free Shopping Opportunities

Many states offer tax-free shopping periods:

Tax-Free Weekends (Most States)

When: Typically August (back-to-school) and sometimes November (holiday) What qualifies: Clothing, school supplies, computers (varies by state) Savings example: $500 of back-to-school items saves $35-50 in taxes

Online Shopping Considerations

Most online retailers now collect sales tax in most states
Amazon, Walmart, Target all collect sales tax
Digital downloads often tax-free
Some states exempt groceries

Military/Government Exemptions

Active military can get tax exemptions in some states
Government employees may have special rates
Always ask for applicable discounts

How to Calculate Total Price with Tax

Step-by-step process for any purchase:

Step 1: Know Your Tax Rate

Check your state's rate (use table above)
Confirm if local taxes apply
Some cities/counties add extra tax

Step 2: Calculate Tax Amount

Multiply price by tax rate percentage
Example: $50 × 8% = $4 tax

Step 3: Add Tax to Subtotal

$50 + $4 = $54 final price

Step 4: Budget Accordingly

Always add tax to your planned spending
Don't get surprised at checkout

Use our tax calculator to skip steps and get instant results.

Real Examples by Scenario

Example 2: Electronics Purchase in Different States

Item: $1,500 laptop

State	Tax Rate	Tax Amount	Final Price	Savings vs. TN
Delaware	0%	$0	$1,500	+$142.50
Colorado	2.9%	$43.50	$1,543.50	+$99
Florida	7%	$105	$1,605	+$37.50
California	8.5%	$127.50	$1,627.50	+$15
Tennessee	9.55%	$143.25	$1,643.25	-

Shopping in Delaware versus Tennessee saves $143.25 on this laptop—over 9% difference.

Example 3: Grocery Shopping Quirk

Some states tax groceries differently:

State	Groceries Tax	Other Items Tax
California	0% (mostly)	8.5%
Texas	0%	8.25%
Florida	0%	7%
New York	0% (unprepped)	8.625%

Buying $100 of groceries: always tax-free in these states. But a $100 phone? Fully taxed.

Budget Planning with Tax

Practical budgeting approach:

For Shopping Trips

Calculate 8-10% buffer into your budget
Know your state's rate to adjust
Use calculator before checkout
Avoid surprises at payment

For Major Purchases

A $20,000 car in high-tax states costs $21,900+ (9.5% tax)
Budget the tax into loan calculations
Plan for tax when setting purchase limits

For Business Expenses

Businesses with resale certificates may avoid sales tax
Keep documentation of exemptions
Verify tax requirements before purchasing

Tools for Sales Tax Calculation

Our calculators make tax math effortless:

Tax Calculator - Calculate tax on any amount instantly
Percentage of a Number - Find exact tax amounts
Discount Calculator - See final price after discounts + tax

All are free, mobile-friendly, and work instantly—perfect for budgeting before checkout.

The Bottom Line

Sales tax varies dramatically across America, impacting your purchasing power significantly:

Zero-tax states exist - Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Alaska
Know your local rate - Tax can range from 0% to 11%+
Calculate before shopping - Use our calculator to budget accurately
Look for tax-free opportunities - Take advantage of tax-free weekends
Account for tax in major purchases - Can add thousands to vehicle/property costs

Smart shoppers understand sales tax and account for it in every purchase decision.

Ready to calculate? Open our tax calculator and determine your exact cost including tax in seconds.