US Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate accurate sales tax for all 50 US states, including county, city, and special district surcharges. Updated for 2026.
Key Features
- Covers all 50 US states plus Washington D.C.
- Includes county and city-level tax rates
- Real-time calculation with instant results
- Shows breakdown of state vs local taxes
Calculator Inputs
Calculation Results
About This Calculator
This sales tax calculator provides accurate estimates of sales tax for any purchase in the United States. It takes into account not just the state-level sales tax, but also county, city, and special district taxes that may apply depending on your location.
Sales tax rates can vary significantly even within the same state. For example, in California, the statewide sales tax rate is 7.25%, but local jurisdictions can add up to an additional 2.5%, making the total rate as high as 10.25% in some areas.
How Sales Tax Works in the US
State-Level Sales Tax
Forty-five states and the District of Columbia impose a statewide sales tax. The rates range from 2.9% in Colorado to 7.25% in California. Five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon.
Local Sales Tax
Many states allow local governments (counties, cities, and special districts) to impose additional sales taxes on top of the state rate. These local taxes can vary widely:
- County taxes: Typically range from 0.25% to 2%
- City taxes: Can add another 0.25% to 1.5%
- Special district taxes: Imposed for specific purposes like transportation, schools, or infrastructure
Tax-Exempt Items
Certain items are exempt from sales tax in most states, including:
- Groceries and food items
- Prescription medications
- Medical devices and equipment
- Clothing (in some states)
- Educational materials
Note: This calculator assumes the purchase is subject to sales tax. Always check with your local tax authority for specific exemptions.
Calculator Input Fields Explained
Purchase Amount
This is the pre-tax price of the item or items you're purchasing. Enter the total amount before any sales tax is applied.
State Selection
Select the US state where the purchase is being made. This determines the base state sales tax rate.
County Selection
Select the county within the state. Some counties have additional sales tax surcharges. If no county-specific tax applies, the rate will be 0%.
City Selection
Select the city if applicable. Some cities have their own sales tax on top of state and county taxes. This field is optional.
Calculation Methodology
The calculator uses the following formula to determine sales tax:
Total Tax = Purchase Amount × (State Rate + County Rate + City Rate)
The total tax rate is the sum of all applicable tax rates for the selected location. The calculator then applies this combined rate to the purchase amount to determine the total tax and final purchase price.
Example Calculation
Let's say you're purchasing a $500 item in Los Angeles, California:
- State tax rate: 7.25%
- County tax rate (Los Angeles): 0.25%
- City tax rate: 0.5%
- Special district tax: 1%
- Total rate: 9.0%
- Total tax: $500 × 9% = $45.00
- Final price: $500 + $45 = $545.00
Limitations and Considerations
- This calculator provides estimates only. Actual tax amounts may vary based on specific local tax rules and exemptions.
- Online purchases may be subject to different tax rules depending on the seller's location and nexus.
- Sales tax holidays may affect the tax rate during specific periods.
- Some items have special tax rates (e.g., luxury items, tobacco, alcohol).