Sales Tax Calculator
Calculate the exact sales tax on any purchase by state. Includes state tax, average local tax, and total cost.
Enter a purchase amount and select a state to calculate sales tax.
Tax-Free States
Five states have no state sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, Alaska allows local jurisdictions to levy their own sales taxes, so some areas still charge a local rate. Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no state or local sales tax at all.
How Sales Tax Works
Sales tax in the United States is a consumption tax imposed by state and local governments on the sale of goods and certain services. The total rate you pay is a combination of the state rate and any applicable local (city, county, or district) taxes. Rates vary widely, from 0% in tax-free states to over 10% in some high-tax jurisdictions.
Most states exempt groceries, prescription medications, and certain necessities from sales tax, though some states tax groceries at a reduced rate. Online purchases are subject to sales tax based on the destination state, following the 2018 Supreme Court ruling in South Dakota v. Wayfair.
Sales Tax Holidays
Many states offer annual sales tax holidays, typically in late summer before the school year, where certain items like clothing, school supplies, and computers can be purchased tax-free. Check your state's department of revenue for specific dates and qualifying items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have no sales tax?
Five states have no state-level sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. Alaska is unique because while there is no state tax, local governments can impose their own sales taxes averaging about 1.8%.
What's the difference between state and local tax?
State sales tax is set by the state legislature and applies uniformly across the state. Local sales tax is set by cities, counties, or special districts and varies by location. Your total sales tax is the sum of both. For example, in Los Angeles, you pay California's 7.25% state rate plus local taxes for a combined rate of about 9.5%.
Are groceries taxed?
Most states exempt unprepared food (groceries) from sales tax. However, some states like Mississippi, Alabama, Oklahoma, and South Dakota tax groceries at the full rate. Others like Illinois, Arkansas, and Utah tax groceries at a reduced rate. Prepared food, candy, and soft drinks are usually taxed at the full rate regardless.
What about online purchases?
Since the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court decision, states can require online retailers to collect sales tax even if the retailer has no physical presence in the state. Most major online retailers now collect sales tax based on the buyer's shipping address. If tax was not collected, buyers are generally required to report and pay "use tax" on their state tax return.