Sales Tax Calculator
Add sales tax or VAT to a price to see the tax amount and total you'll pay.
Content updated July 1, 2026
Prices are often shown before tax, so the amount at the till can be a surprise. This calculator adds any sales tax, VAT or GST rate to a price and shows both the tax amount and the final total.
Enter the pre-tax price and your local rate to see exactly what you'll pay — useful for budgeting, invoicing, or checking a receipt.
The Sales Tax formula
Tax = Price × (Rate ÷ 100) · Total = Price + Tax · Pre-tax = Total ÷ (1 + Rate ÷ 100)Price = the pre-tax price · Rate = the tax rate as a percentage · Total = the final tax-inclusive amount. The last form recovers the price before tax from a gross total.
Worked example
A $100 item at an 8.25% rate adds 100 × 0.0825 = $8.25 in tax, for a $108.25 total. Working backwards, 108.25 ÷ 1.0825 returns the $100 pre-tax price.
How sales tax is added
Multiply the price by the tax rate divided by 100 to get the tax, then add it to the price. A $100 item at 8.25% tax adds $8.25, for a $108.25 total.
Tax rates vary widely by country, state and even city, so use your local combined rate. In many countries VAT is already included in displayed prices; in the US, sales tax is usually added at checkout.
Frequently asked questions
▶How do I add sales tax to a price?
Multiply the price by the tax rate as a decimal (e.g. 8.25% = 0.0825) and add the result to the price. This calculator does it for any rate you enter.
▶How do I work out the price before tax?
Divide the tax-inclusive total by 1 plus the tax rate as a decimal. A $108.25 total at 8.25% tax is 108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = $100 before tax.
▶How much tax is included in a VAT-inclusive price?
Divide the gross price by (1 + rate) to get the net, then subtract it from the gross for the tax. On a £120 price at 20% VAT, the tax is 120 − (120 ÷ 1.2) = £20.
▶What's the difference between sales tax, VAT and GST?
They're all consumption taxes on goods and services. US sales tax is usually added at checkout, while VAT (Europe) and GST (Australia, Canada, and others) are often built into the shelf price.
▶Do I calculate tax before or after a discount?
After. Apply the discount first, then work out tax on the reduced price — so you're only taxed on what you actually pay.
Learn more
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Open calculator →Disclaimer: Sales Tax Calculator results are estimates for general information and education only, and are not financial, tax, legal or medical advice. Verify important decisions with a qualified professional.