About This Tool
Accurately calculating sales tax is critical, but with 50 states and thousands of local jurisdictions, it's rarely simple. Rates change, and what's taxable in one state (like clothes or groceries) might be exempt in another. Our <strong>2026 Sales Tax Calculator</strong> simplifies this. We've built in the latest state-level exemptions for <strong>Groceries</strong>, <strong>Clothing</strong>, and <strong>Prescription Drugs</strong>. This tool helps shoppers checking the total cost of a laptop and business owners estimating tax for an invoice. It even supports <strong>Reverse Tax Calculation</strong> to find the pre-tax price from a total.
How to Use This Calculator
- Enter Amount: Input the price of the item.
- Select State: Choose your state to load the 2026 base rate.
- Select Category: Choose "Groceries" or "Clothing" to check for exemptions (e.g., Clothing is tax-free in PA).
- Add Local Rate: If you know your city or county tax, add it to get the precise total.
- Reverse Tax: Check "Calculate from Total" if you have the final price and need the subtotal.
State vs. Local Exemptions
This calculator applies State-level exemptions automatically. However, local governments (cities/counties) often have their own rules. For example, in New York, clothing under $110 is exempt from State tax and some local taxes, but not all. Always check with your local municipality for the exact local policy.Common Tax Exemptions (2026)
Groceries: Exempt in the vast majority of states (e.g., CA, TX, FL, NY). Taxed at reduced rates in states like IL, MO, UT.
Clothing: Generally taxable, but notable exemptions exist in MA (under $175), NY (under $110), NJ, PA, MN, and RI.
Prescription Drugs: Exempt in almost all states.