Reverse sales tax calculator
Got a receipt total and want the price before tax? Enter the total and the rate, and this calculator works backwards to the pre-tax price and the tax paid. It is pre-filled with the example below.
Use this for a combined state + local rate, e.g. Los Angeles at 10.25%.
Alaska has no statewide sales tax, but many cities and boroughs charge a local sales tax. Enter your local rate as a custom rate.
How the reverse math works
Pre-tax price = total ÷ (1 + rate). Tax = total − pre-tax price. That is the whole formula, and it is how you check a receipt: if the tax on the receipt does not match what this formula gives for your area’s combined rate, the receipt is worth a second look.
Worked example
A receipt total of $527.34 at a rate of 7.5% works back to a pre-tax price of $490.55 and tax of $36.79 — because $527.34 ÷ 1.075 = $490.55, and $527.34 − $490.55 = $36.79.
Check the rate a receipt actually charged
Switch to the “Check a receipt rate” tab and enter the pre-tax price and the receipt total. It returns the actual rate, so you can compare it against your area’s combined rate and spot an overcharge.
Please note: rates shown are statewide base rates only, checked October 2026 (Tax Foundation 2026). Your receipt’s combined rate includes local taxes and varies by city and county. For filing or compliance, confirm with your state tax agency. This calculator is not tax advice.