Can I subtract the tax percentage from the total?
No. The percentage is applied to the pre-tax price. Divide the total by 1 plus the rate as a decimal to recover that price.
Reverse Sales Tax Calculator
Find the price before sales tax or add tax to a price. Enter the amount and your own tax rate to see the result instantly.
Your numbers
Enter your amount and tax rate. Results update instantly.
Enter your own rate, using up to 3 decimal places.
Result
Subtotal and tax always add up to the total shown.
Enter your values to see the result.
For estimation only. Verify your local rate with your state, local, or national tax authority.
How reverse sales tax works
To remove sales tax, divide the tax-inclusive total by 1 plus the tax rate expressed as a decimal. Subtract the rounded pre-tax amount from the original total to find the tax.
Remove Tax
Pre-tax amount = total ÷ (1 + rate ÷ 100)
Add Tax
Total = pre-tax amount + rounded sales tax
Worked example
A $108.25 total with an 8.25% rate contains a $100.00 pre-tax amount and $8.25 in tax. Starting with $100.00 and adding 8.25% gives the same $108.25 total.
Amounts round to the nearest cent using half-up rounding. The subtotal and tax reconcile exactly to the displayed total.
Which tax rate should I enter?
Enter the percentage rate that applies to your purchase. This calculator does not look up rates by ZIP code or state. Verify your rate with your state, local, or national tax authority.
You can enter up to three decimal places, such as 8.875%. A 0% rate is valid. Rates above 50% display a reminder to double-check your entry.
Frequently asked questions
Can I also add tax to a price?
Yes. Switch to Add Tax and enter the pre-tax price. The calculator shows the tax amount and final total.
Why might a very small amount show zero tax?
Tax and pre-tax amounts are rounded to cents. For a $0.01 total at 100%, the rounded pre-tax amount is $0.01 and the remaining tax is $0.00, keeping the total at $0.01.
What is sent to an invoice?
The final total includes tax. A note records the rate and subtotal so the same tax should not be added again.