Sales tax & VAT calculator
Enter a price and your local tax rate.
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- Before tax
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- Tax
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- Total
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This calculator gives estimates for general information only and isn't financial advice. Check figures with your lender, accountant or tax office before making decisions.
How to calculate sales tax
Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal, then add it on. For a $50 item at 8.25%, the tax is $50 × 0.0825 = $4.13 and the total is $54.13. Or multiply the price by 1.0825 to get the total in one step.
To reverse it and find the price before tax, divide the total by 1 plus the rate. A $54.13 receipt at 8.25% tax works out to $54.13 ÷ 1.0825 = $50.00.
Sales tax vs VAT
In the US, sales tax is added at the register and rates differ by state, county and city, so check your exact local rate. In the UK, Europe and many other countries, VAT is usually already included in shelf prices; use reverse mode to see how much of a price is VAT.
Want the full explanation? Read our guide: How to calculate GST in Australia and New Zealand.
Questions people ask
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the price by the tax rate. At 7%, a $40 item has $2.80 tax, for a total of $42.80.
How do I find the price before tax?
Divide the total by 1 plus the tax rate as a decimal. At 8% tax, a $108 total was $100 before tax.
What is the VAT rate in the UK?
The standard UK VAT rate is 20%, with reduced rates of 5% and 0% for some goods and services.
Why are there different sales tax rates?
In the US, states set a base rate and counties and cities can add their own, so the combined rate depends on exactly where you buy.