Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax to a pre-tax price, or work backwards from a tax-inclusive total to the price before tax, using the rate that applies to your sale.
Formula and method
Adding tax: tax = price × (rate ÷ 100); total = price + tax.
Removing tax: price before tax = total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100); tax = total − price before tax.
No preset rates are shipped, because combined state, county and city rates differ per transaction. Enter the rate that applies to you.
Worked example
You sell an item for €100 before tax in a jurisdiction with an 8% combined sales tax rate.
Tax = €100 × 0.08 = €8, so the customer pays €108.
Working backwards from €108: €108 ÷ 1.08 = €100 before tax, with €8 of tax.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How do I add sales tax to a price?
Multiply the pre-tax price by the tax rate and add it. €100 at 8% becomes €100 + €8 = €108.
How do I remove sales tax from a total?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by (1 + rate ÷ 100). €108 including 8% tax is €108 ÷ 1.08 = €100 before tax.
Why doesn't the calculator include preset tax rates?
Sales tax in many jurisdictions combines state, county and city rates that vary per transaction, so no single reliable preset exists. Enter the rate that applies to your sale.
Is sales tax the same as VAT?
No. Sales tax is normally charged once at the final sale, while VAT is charged and reclaimed at each stage of the supply chain. Use the VAT calculator for VAT figures.
Does the tool round the way my invoicing software does?
Calculations keep full precision and display two decimals. Accounting systems may round per line or per invoice, so small differences can appear.
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