
30/08/2025
What is U.S. Sales Tax?
You know that little extra amount added to your total when you buy something? That’s sales tax! It is a consumer tax that goes straight to the government.
Most of the time, the shopkeeper collects it from you right when you make your purchase. Now, in lots of other places around the world, they call this a Value Added Tax or a Goods and Services Tax.
Those work a bit differently from our sales tax here. Sometimes, the price tag shows you the cost before tax, and the sales tax gets added on at checkout. Other times, the price already includes all the tax.
Sales Tax Across the United States
Here in the US, things are a bit unique. Our federal government does not charge a sales tax. Instead, it is up to each state to decide. Most states have their own sales tax rates.
However, if you live in Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, or Oregon, you will not see a statewide sales tax. Even in states that have one, local towns or cities can add their own sales tax too.
Unlike how Value Added Tax works in many countries, our sales tax usually only applies to retail purchases. Most transactions between businesses are not taxed this way.
The sales tax rate can really vary, from zero all the way up to sixteen percent, depending on where you are and what you are buying. Every state has its own specific rules.
For example, in Texas, you might find that prescription medicines and food seeds are exempt. Vermont has a general sales tax, but if you buy an alcoholic drink and consume it right away, there is an additional tax on top of that.
These are just a few examples that show how much the rules can change from one place to another.
On average, sales tax takes about two percent of what Americans earn. It is a big deal for state governments, making up almost a third of their total income.
You will notice it is much more important for states in the south and west compared to places like New England. States like Florida, Washington, Tennessee, and Texas often get more than half of their tax money from sales tax alone. New York, on the other hand, gets a much smaller portion from it.
Below this explanation, you will find a detailed overview of the sales tax rates for various states.
https://easybuget.com/sales-tax-calculator/
Use our free Sales tax calculator: https://easybuget.com/sales-tax-calculator/