Sales Tax Calculator
Enter a product price and select a US state to see the total with tax applied.
Which US States Have No Sales Tax?
Five US states do not impose a statewide sales tax. However, local jurisdictions in some of these states may still levy their own sales taxes.
Note: Alaska has no state-level sales tax, but many local municipalities do collect sales tax. Oregon, Montana, New Hampshire, and Delaware generally have no sales tax at any level (though some exceptions exist, such as prepared food or car rentals in some localities).
How US Sales Tax Works vs. VAT
The United States uses a retail sales tax system, which is fundamentally different from the Value-Added Tax (VAT) used in most other countries.
| Aspect | US Sales Tax | VAT (Value-Added Tax) |
|---|---|---|
| When is it applied? | Only at the final point of sale to the consumer. | Applied at every stage of the supply chain (manufacturing, wholesale, retail). |
| Who collects it? | Retailers collect from consumers and remit to state/local governments. | Each business in the chain collects and remits, but reclaims input tax. |
| Rate structure | Varies by state, county, and city. Can be 0% to over 10% combined. | Single national rate (plus reduced rates for certain goods). Typically 15–27% in Europe. |
| Visibility | Added at checkout (price displayed before tax). | Usually included in the listed price. |
| Exemptions | Many states exempt groceries, prescription drugs, and clothing. | Some goods may have reduced rates or be zero-rated. |
Key Differences at a Glance
- Tax-inclusive vs. tax-exclusive pricing: In the US, prices are typically shown before tax; VAT countries list prices with tax included. This is why the US sales tax feels like a "surprise" at the register to visitors.
- Complexity: The US has over 10,000 sales tax jurisdictions. VAT is usually simpler, with a single national rate per country.
- Origin vs. destination: US sales tax is generally based on the destination (where the buyer receives the goods). VAT on cross-border sales within the EU follows special rules.
- Business inputs: Businesses in the US may still pay sales tax on some of their purchases if they aren’t reselling the goods. Under VAT, businesses can usually reclaim the tax they paid on inputs.
Sales Tax Tips for Online Shopping
1. Know the “Economic Nexus” Rules
After the 2018 South Dakota v. Wayfair Supreme Court ruling, states can require out-of-state sellers to collect sales tax if they meet certain thresholds (typically $100K in sales or 200 transactions in the state). This means most major online retailers now charge sales tax in almost every state.
2. Check Your State’s Use Tax Obligation
If you buy from a seller that doesn’t collect sales tax, you may still owe use tax to your state. Many states have a line on the income tax return for reporting use tax. It’s the same rate as sales tax and applies to out-of-state purchases.
3. Look for “Tax-Free” States
If you’re buying a big-ticket item (electronics, furniture, jewelry), consider shipping to an address in one of the five states with no sales tax — Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, or Alaska (if no local tax applies) — if you have that option.
4. Be Aware of Marketplace Facilitator Laws
Platforms like Amazon, eBay, Etsy, and Walmart Marketplace are considered marketplace facilitators in most states. They are required to collect and remit sales tax on behalf of third-party sellers. This means tax is almost always collected automatically on marketplace purchases.
5. Sales Tax Holidays
Many states hold annual sales tax holidays (usually in late summer) where certain items like clothing, school supplies, or energy-efficient appliances are exempt from sales tax. Check your state’s department of revenue website for dates.
6. Don’t Forget Digital Goods & Services
Some states tax digital products (eBooks, streaming services, software downloads) while others don’t. The rules vary widely. Services like haircuts, landscaping, or consulting may also be taxable in some states but not others.
7. Use This Calculator to Budget
Before checkout, use this calculator to estimate your total cost. Enter the price and the state you’re shipping to — the result will give you a close approximation of your final bill. Remember, local taxes can add 1–5% on top of the state rate shown here.
Sales Tax Rate by Zip Code
Enter a 5-digit US zip code to look up the estimated sales tax rate for that area. Rates shown are estimates — actual rates can vary by address.
About Zip Code Sales Tax Lookup
The zip code lookup provides estimated sales tax rates by mapping zip codes to their primary state. Actual rates at a specific address may differ due to:
- County & city taxes: Local jurisdictions can add their own sales tax on top of the state rate.
- Special district taxes: Transit districts, stadium authorities, and other special-purpose districts may add small surcharges.
- Zip code boundaries: Some zip codes cross county or city lines, meaning the rate can vary within a single zip code.
- Address-specific rates: Some states (like Colorado and Louisiana) have very granular rates that can differ street-by-street.
For the most accurate rate, check your state’s Department of Revenue website or use a certified sales tax compliance service.