Sales Tax Calculator

As of 2025, five states have no statewide sales tax: Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon. However, Alaska allows local jurisdictions to levy their own sales taxes, so parts of Alaska can still have rates of 5-7%. Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon have no state or general local sales tax.

Most states require sales tax to be calculated on the price after store or manufacturer coupons are applied, meaning coupons reduce your tax as well as the price. A few states tax the original pre-coupon price, particularly for manufacturer coupons where the retailer is later reimbursed. Your receipt will show the taxable amount.

Sales tax in the US is collected only at the final point of sale to the consumer and is not embedded in the listed price. Value-added tax (VAT), used in Europe and most other countries, is collected at every stage of production and distribution and is always included in the displayed price. A $100 item in a 20% VAT country already has the tax baked in, while a $100 item with 10% US sales tax will cost $110 at checkout.

Taxation on groceries and medicine varies significantly by state. Most states exempt prescription drugs from sales tax. About half the states fully exempt unprepared grocery food, while others apply a reduced rate (typically 1-4%). Prepared food at restaurants and delis is almost always taxed at the full rate regardless of the state.