Quick lookup
Sales tax on common amounts (by rate)
Quick reference for the tax amount and total at common US/global rates. Add this to the pre-tax price for the final cost.
| Pre-tax amount | 5% (tax / total) | 7.25% (tax / total) | 10% (tax / total) | 20% VAT (tax / total) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $10 | $0.50 / $10.50 | $0.73 / $10.73 | $1.00 / $11.00 | $2.00 / $12.00 |
| $25 | $1.25 / $26.25 | $1.81 / $26.81 | $2.50 / $27.50 | $5.00 / $30.00 |
| $50 | $2.50 / $52.50 | $3.63 / $53.63 | $5.00 / $55.00 | $10.00 / $60.00 |
| $100 | $5.00 / $105.00 | $7.25 / $107.25 | $10.00 / $110.00 | $20.00 / $120.00 |
| $250 | $12.50 / $262.50 | $18.13 / $268.13 | $25.00 / $275.00 | $50.00 / $300.00 |
| $500 | $25.00 / $525.00 | $36.25 / $536.25 | $50.00 / $550.00 | $100.00 / $600.00 |
| $1,000 | $50.00 / $1,050.00 | $72.50 / $1,072.50 | $100.00 / $1,100.00 | $200.00 / $1,200.00 |
US shelf prices are pre-tax; tax is added at checkout. Most of the world includes VAT/GST in the displayed price. Use the reverse mode to extract the tax from a tax-inclusive total.
Overview
What this calculator does
The sales tax calculator works two ways. 'Add tax' takes a pre-tax price and adds the tax to show the total you'll pay. 'Remove tax' (reverse) takes a tax-inclusive total and works backward to show the pre-tax amount and the tax portion — useful for expense reports and bookkeeping when you only have the final total.
The math
The formulas
Adding tax
total = price × (1 + rate). For 8% on $100: 100 × 1.08 = $108. The tax alone is 100 × 0.08 = $8.
Removing tax (reverse)
pre-tax = total / (1 + rate). From a $108 total at 8%: 108 / 1.08 = $100, so the tax was $8. A common mistake is multiplying the total by the rate — that overstates the tax because the total already includes it.
Around the world
Sales tax vs VAT vs GST
US sales tax
Added at the final point of sale. Varies by state (0-7.25% base) plus local additions. Shelf prices are pre-tax.
UK / EU VAT
Value Added Tax, collected at each production stage. UK standard 20%, reduced 5%, zero on essentials. Displayed prices include VAT.
Canada GST/HST
5% federal GST, combined with provincial tax into HST in some provinces (13-15%). Quebec adds QST separately.
Australia GST
Flat 10% on most goods and services. Included in displayed prices.
India GST
Multi-slab: 0%, 5%, 12%, 18%, 28% depending on the product category. Included in displayed prices.
Gulf VAT
UAE and Saudi Arabia introduced VAT recently (5% UAE, 15% Saudi). A relatively new system in the region.
The combined-rate trap
US sales tax is more complicated than it looks
The 'state rate' is rarely what you actually pay. Most US localities stack city, county, and special-district taxes on top of the state base. Examples:
- California: 7.25% state base, but combined rates reach 10.75% in some cities (e.g., parts of LA County)
- Illinois: 6.25% state, but Chicago's combined rate is 10.25%
- Colorado: 2.9% state — one of the lowest — but Denver combined is around 8.81%
- Five states have NO state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon (though Alaska allows local taxes)
Check your combined rate
Behind the scenes
Privacy and how it runs
Runs in your browser
Common questions
How do I figure out the tax from a total?
Divide the total by (1 + tax rate) to get the pre-tax amount, then subtract. From $53.63 at 7.25%: 53.63 / 1.0725 = $50 pre-tax, $3.63 tax. Use the reverse mode and it's done for you.
Is sales tax charged on the discounted price?
Yes — in the US, sales tax applies to the price you actually pay after discounts and coupons, not the original price. Apply the discount first, then tax the result.
Do I pay sales tax on online purchases?
In the US, generally yes since the 2018 Wayfair Supreme Court decision — most online retailers now collect sales tax based on your shipping address. Before 2018, many online purchases were effectively tax-free.
What items are tax-exempt?
Varies by jurisdiction. Many US states exempt groceries, prescription drugs, and sometimes clothing. The UK zero-rates most food and children's clothes. Check local rules — this calculator applies a flat rate to whatever amount you enter.
How is VAT different from sales tax for the buyer?
For the final consumer, the end price math is identical. The difference is administrative: VAT is collected in stages through the supply chain (businesses reclaim what they paid), while US sales tax is collected only at the final sale. As a shopper, you just see the included or added percentage.
Related calculators
Shopping and money math tools that pair with sales tax.
Last reviewed: · Methodology based on US building code standards, contractor pricing surveys, and manufacturer specifications.