Add vs remove tax
‘Add tax’ takes a pre-tax price and adds the tax on top. ‘Remove tax’ takes a tax-inclusive total and works backwards to the original price.
Money calculators
Sales Tax Calculator
Add tax to a price - or reverse it to find the pre-tax amount.
Complete guide
How to use Sales Tax Calculator
Enter a price and your local sales tax rate to see the tax amount and total. Switch the mode to work in reverse - enter a tax-inclusive total and the calculator extracts the pre-tax price and the tax portion.
Combine your state, county, and city rates into one figure for the true effective rate. The same calculation works for VAT and GST.
Combined rates
US sales tax is often state + county + city. Add them together (e.g. 6% + 1% + 1.5% = 8.5%) and enter the combined rate.
Works for VAT and GST
Sales tax, VAT, and GST all use the same percentage math - just enter the relevant rate.
Answers
Sales Tax Calculator FAQs
How do I calculate sales tax?
Multiply the pre-tax price by the tax rate (e.g. $100 × 8.5% = $8.50 tax). The total is price + tax.
How do I remove tax from a total?
Switch to ‘Remove tax’ mode. The calculator divides the total by (1 + rate) to recover the original pre-tax price.
What is the average US sales tax rate?
Combined state and local rates typically range from 0% to over 10%, averaging around 7-8%.
Can I use this for VAT?
Yes. Enter the price and VAT rate exactly as you would for sales tax - the math is identical.
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Methodology and examples
Sales Tax Calculator - Add or Remove Tax from a Price: formula, example, and use cases
Maintained by FormatNest. See the methodology, assumptions and sources below.
Formula or method
The calculator applies the relevant percentage relationship: amount = base × rate ÷ 100, then reports the requested total, difference, margin, or ratio.
Worked example
Example: enter the price, income, cost, or base amount from a real transaction in Sales Tax Calculator - Add or Remove Tax from a Price, then compare the percentage result before making a decision.
Best use cases
Use Sales Tax Calculator - Add or Remove Tax from a Price for planning, comparison, and what-if scenarios before confirming figures with a lender, tax professional, or financial adviser.
Important: For educational planning only. Rates, tax rules, fees, and eligibility vary; confirm important decisions with a qualified professional.
Editorial note: Review the input definitions, units and assumptions before relying on results. Source: IRS Tax Withholding Estimator guidance.