Reverse Sales Tax Calculator
Enter a tax included total and the combined state and local rate to get the price before tax and the sales tax amount.
Price before tax
100
Sales tax in the total
8.25
Combined rate
8.25%
Total paid (tax included)
108.25
Price before tax = total ÷ (1 + combined rate ÷ 100)
Rates add up: a 6.25% state rate with 2% local tax is 8.25% combined. Look up the combined rate for the address of the sale.
How to calculate sales tax backwards
A reverse sales tax calculator takes a total that already includes sales tax and splits it into the price before tax and the tax. Use it to check a receipt, to record expenses without tax, or to price an item so the total lands on a round number.
How to calculate sales tax backwards
Price before tax = total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100). A total of 108.25 at 8.25% is 108.25 ÷ 1.0825 = 100.00, so the tax is 8.25.
Do not subtract 8.25% of the total: that gives 99.32, because the tax was charged on the lower pre tax price, not on the total.
Combined rates
US sales tax often stacks a state rate with county, city and special district rates. Texas, for example, has a 6.25% state rate and up to 2% local tax, so many Texas cities charge 8.25% combined. Enter each part and the calculator adds them.
Charging VAT instead of sales tax? Use the VAT calculator.
Copy the result, or save it as a PDF to attach to an email or a purchase file. Nothing you type leaves your browser.
Features
- Price before tax
- Sales tax in the total
- State, county, city and district rates
- Combined rate shown
- Works for any rate
- Copy or PDF
Frequently asked questions
How do I find the price before tax?
Divide the total by 1 plus the tax rate as a decimal. At 7%, divide by 1.07.
Why can't I just subtract the percentage?
Because tax is a percentage of the pre tax price, not of the total. Subtracting from the total takes off too little.
Where do I find my combined sales tax rate?
Your state's department of revenue publishes rates by address; the rate depends on where the sale takes place.
Is the calculator free?
Yes. No sign up. It runs in your browser, and you can copy the result or save it as a PDF.