Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax or VAT to a price, or remove it from a tax-inclusive total to find the pre-tax amount.
Adding sales tax
Multiply the pre-tax price by the tax rate to get the tax, then add it on.
Tax = Price × Rate ÷ 100 Total = Price × (1 + Rate ÷ 100)
A $250 purchase at 8.25% tax: 250 × 0.0825 = $20.63 tax, total $270.63.
Removing tax from a total (reverse sales tax)
A common mistake is to subtract the tax rate from the total. Because tax was calculated on the smaller pre-tax price, you have to divide instead:
Pre-tax price = Total ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100)
A receipt total of $270.63 at 8.25%: 270.63 ÷ 1.0825 = $250.00. Subtracting 8.25% of $270.63 would wrongly give $248.30.
Sales tax and VAT around the world
US sales tax is set by states, counties and cities, so combined rates range from 0% in states such as Oregon and Delaware to over 10% in some cities. Most other countries use a value-added tax (VAT) or goods and services tax (GST) that is already included in shelf prices: 20% in the UK, 19% in Germany, 10% in Australia and 5% plus provincial tax in Canada. Use "remove tax" mode to see the pre-VAT price of an item.
Frequently asked questions
How do I calculate sales tax backwards?
Divide the total by 1 plus the tax rate as a decimal. For 7% tax, divide by 1.07. The difference between the total and the result is the tax.
Is sales tax charged on shipping?
It depends on the state or country. Some tax shipping when it is part of a taxable sale; others exempt separately stated delivery charges.
What is the difference between sales tax and VAT?
Sales tax is collected once, at the final sale. VAT is collected at each stage of production, but the end customer ultimately pays it as part of the shelf price.
Last reviewed Oct 20, 2026. Results are estimates; check important decisions with a qualified professional.