Sales Tax Calculator: What's the Real Cost After Tax?

Sales tax is the silent add-on that turns a $299 TV into a $323 purchase and a $25,000 car into a $27,125 transaction. It's predictable math — but most people estimate it wrong, especially across state lines, for large purchases, or when reverse-engineering a tax-inclusive price. This calculator handles three common scenarios: calculating the tax amount and final price from a pre-tax price; reverse-calculating the pre-tax price from a total that already includes tax; and comparing the cost of the same purchase across different tax jurisdictions. Sales tax rates in the U.S. range from 0% (Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Alaska) to over 10% in parts of Louisiana, Tennessee, and Arkansas when state and local rates combine. For a $20,000 vehicle purchase, that difference is $2,000 in real money. This tool is useful for everyday shoppers wanting to budget accurately, small business owners calculating pricing, travelers comparing purchase locations, and anyone who's ever wondered "how much would this cost in [other state]?" The reverse calculation is especially practical: if a receipt shows $547.83 total and you need to know the pre-tax price for an expense report or return, this calculator gives you the exact split. Sales tax is simple math done precisely. This calculator makes it instant.