Sales Tax Calculator

Q: How is sales tax calculated?

Sales tax is calculated by multiplying the purchase price by the combined tax rate. Combined rate = state rate + county rate + city rate. For example, a $100 item in a city with a 9% combined rate has $9 in sales tax, for a total of $109. Some items (groceries, prescription drugs) are exempt or taxed at lower rates in many states.

Q: Which states have the highest sales tax in 2026?

The states with the highest average combined sales tax rates in 2026 are Louisiana (~9.56%), Tennessee (~9.55%), Arkansas (~9.44%), Washington (~9.38%), and Alabama (~9.24%). California has the highest state-only rate at 7.25%, but its average combined rate is lower than these states.

Q: Which states have no sales tax?

Five states have no statewide sales tax: Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Alaska. However, Alaska allows local municipalities to levy sales taxes. If you live near a border with one of these states, purchases there may save you 5–9% compared to taxed states.

Q: Are groceries subject to sales tax?

It depends on the state. Groceries are fully exempt from sales tax in 30+ states including California, Texas, New York, and most major states. Some states like Arkansas and Tennessee tax groceries at a reduced rate. A few states tax groceries at the full rate. Our calculator accounts for grocery exemptions.

Q: Is there sales tax on online purchases in 2026?

Yes. Since the Supreme Court's 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair decision, online retailers must collect sales tax in states where they have economic nexus, typically $100,000 in sales or 200 transactions. Most major online retailers (Amazon, Walmart, etc.) now collect sales tax for all 45 taxing states.

Q: How do I calculate sales tax on a car purchase?

Car sales tax is typically calculated on the purchase price minus trade-in value (in most states). Multiply the taxable amount by your state + local rate. For example, a $30,000 car with a $5,000 trade-in in a state with 8% total tax: ($30,000 − $5,000) × 8% = $2,000 in sales tax. Use our car loan calculator for full vehicle cost calculations.

Q: Do you pay sales tax when buying a home?

Most states do not charge sales tax on real estate transactions. Instead, home purchases may be subject to transfer taxes, recording fees, or deed taxes, typically 0.1–2% of the sale price depending on the state. Some states like New York have significant transfer taxes. Always check your state and local rules; consult your title company for the exact costs at closing.

Q: Is sales tax deductible on federal taxes?

Yes, under the SALT (State and Local Tax) deduction, but only if you itemize deductions and choose sales tax over state income tax. The IRS provides an optional Sales Tax Deduction Table based on income and state. If you made a large purchase (car, boat, home materials) you can add that sales tax on top of the table amount. The SALT deduction is currently capped at $10,000 through 2025.

Find sales tax rates and calculate tax on purchases by state and city.

Updated October 2026

Use our free sales tax calculator to find tax rates by state and city. Select a state below to get started.

2026 Data

IRS-Sourced

Free Forever

How It Works

01

Choose Your State

Select your state for accurate sales tax rates.

02

Enter Purchase Amount

Input the price of your item or total purchase.

03

See the Tax Breakdown

Get state, county, and city tax totals instantly.

Sales Tax by State

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

How Sales Tax Works

Sales tax in the US is a combination of state and local rates. The state sets a base rate, and counties or cities may add their own, creating a combined rate that varies by exact location. Five states have no state sales tax (Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, Alaska), though Alaska allows local taxes. Groceries and prescription drugs are exempt in many states.

State Rate

Set by state legislature. Ranges from 0% (5 states) to 7.25% (California). Changes infrequently.

Local Rate

Added by county or city. Can vary significantly within the same state. Tennessee's combined rate reaches 9.55%.

Exemptions

Groceries are exempt or taxed at reduced rates in 30+ states. Prescription drugs exempt in nearly all states.

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Sales Tax Calculator. Frequently Asked Questions

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Disclaimer: For informational purposes only. Not tax, legal, or financial advice.