Sales tax calculator

Worked examples

• $250 in Texas at the highest combined rate, 8.25%: $250 × 0.0825 = $20.63 in tax, $270.63 in all.
• $1,000 in California at the 7.25% statewide rate: $72.50 in tax. Where district taxes add 1% (8.25% in all), it’s $82.50.
• $500 in New York City at 8.875%: $44.38 in tax, $544.38 in all.
• Taking tax out of a total: $108.25 at 8.25% is $108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100.00 before tax, so the tax is $8.25.

Which rate to use

Most states let counties and cities add their own sales tax, so the rate you charge is usually the state rate plus the local rate where the sale takes place. For goods that is normally where they are delivered. The calculator starts from the state rate and shows the average local rate as a guide; enter your exact combined rate for the invoice.

Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire and Oregon have no statewide sales tax. Alaska has none at the state level, but many local governments charge one.

Sales tax on services

Most states tax goods, and many tax only some services, such as repairs, installation, cleaning or landscaping. Hawaii, New Mexico and South Dakota tax most services. Check your state’s rules before you add tax to a service invoice; our state guides spell them out.

Showing sales tax on an invoice

• Mark which lines are taxable and leave the rest untaxed.
• Show the rate and the tax amount, and split state and local tax if you collect both.
• Keep an exemption or resale certificate for customers you don’t charge.

Sales tax rates by state (2026)

The statewide rate, and the state rate plus the average local rate. Your exact combined rate depends on the city or county where the sale takes place.