Sales tax rates are published by your state revenue department and your city or county tax assessor

You do not calculate sales tax yourself — the store or online seller does. But if you need to know the rate before you buy, or you want to verify what you were charged, your state's Department of Revenue (or equivalent) publishes the current rate for every location. Most states also let you search by zip code or address to find local add-ons.

Sales tax varies by state (from 0% in five states to 7.25% in California), and most states let cities and counties add their own tax on top. This means the rate in one neighborhood can differ from the rate two miles away. The only way to know the exact rate for your purchase is to check the official source for that specific location.

Key Takeaways

  • Your state's Department of Revenue website has a sales tax rate lookup tool where you enter your zip code or address and see the combined state and local rate.
  • Five states (Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon) have no sales tax, though some cities in those states may charge local tax.
  • The rate you see at checkout should match the rate published for that location — if it does not, ask the cashier or contact the store.
  • Online purchases are taxed based on where the item ships to, not where the seller is located, so the rate depends on your delivery address.

How to find your state sales tax rate

Go to your state's Department of Revenue website and look for a "Sales Tax Rate Lookup" or "Tax Rate Finder" tool. You will enter your zip code, city, or full address, and the tool will show you the combined state and local rate that applies there. The result will be a single percentage — for example, 8.5% — that includes both the state portion and any city or county add-on.

If you cannot find the lookup tool on the main page, search the site for "sales tax rates" or "current tax rates." Most state revenue departments organize this information clearly because businesses need it too. The rate shown is current as of the date the state updates it, usually monthly or quarterly.

If your state does not have a website lookup tool, you can call the Department of Revenue directly. The phone number is listed on the state's main website. Have your zip code or address ready when you call.

What to do if you bought something and want to verify the tax charged

Look at your receipt. The sales tax amount should be listed separately from the subtotal. Take that amount, divide it by the subtotal, and multiply by 100 to get the percentage. For example, if the subtotal was $100 and the tax was $8, the rate was 8%.

Then check that rate against the official rate for the location where you made the purchase. Use the state Department of Revenue lookup tool or call them. If the rate on your receipt is higher than the published rate, the store overcharged you. If it is lower, the store may have applied a discount or exemption (some items like groceries are tax-exempt in many states). If the rate is significantly higher and you cannot explain it, contact the store's customer service or the state Department of Revenue to report it.

Sales tax rates for online and mail orders

Online retailers calculate sales tax based on where the item will be delivered, not where the company is located. If you order something online and have it shipped to your home, the tax rate that applies is the rate for your home address. If you have it shipped to a different state, the rate for that state applies instead.

Some online sellers do not charge sales tax if they do not have a physical location in your state, though this is changing. Most large retailers (Amazon, Walmart, Target, and others) now charge sales tax on all orders regardless of where they are based. Smaller sellers may not. If you see no tax charged on an online order and you expected to see tax, it does not mean you owe nothing — you may owe use tax to your state (a tax on out-of-state purchases). Most people do not pay this, but technically it is owed. Check your state's Department of Revenue website if you want to know the rules for your state.

States with no sales tax

Alaska, Delaware, Montana, New Hampshire, and Oregon do not have a state sales tax. However, this does not mean purchases in those states are always tax-free. Alaska allows cities and boroughs to charge local sales tax, and some do. Delaware, Montana, and Oregon have no local sales tax either. New Hampshire has no sales tax on most items, but it does tax prepared food and restaurant meals.

If you live in one of these states and buy something in-state, check with the specific city or county to see if they charge local tax. If you live outside these states and order something to be shipped to one of them, the seller will not charge you sales tax (assuming they follow the law).

Items that may not have sales tax

Many states exempt certain items from sales tax, most commonly groceries, prescription medications, and medical equipment. Some states also exempt clothing, school supplies, or energy bills. The exemptions vary widely by state — what is tax-free in one state may be taxed in another.

If you bought something and were not charged tax, it may be because the item is exempt in your state. If you want to know whether a specific item is taxable where you live, search your state Department of Revenue website for "exempt items" or "tax-exempt goods." You can also call the department and ask about a specific product.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the sales tax rate different in two nearby cities?

Most states let cities and counties add their own sales tax on top of the state rate. One city might have a 6% state rate plus 1% local tax (7% total), while a city five miles away has 6% state plus 0.5% local (6.5% total). The state Department of Revenue lookup tool shows the combined rate for each location.

Do I have to pay sales tax if I buy something out of state and bring it home?

Technically, you owe "use tax" to your home state on out-of-state purchases, which is usually the same rate as sales tax. In practice, most people do not pay it. The state relies on sellers to collect it, and if the seller does not charge it, the state rarely pursues individual buyers. Check your state's Department of Revenue website if you want to know the exact rule.

What if a store charged me the wrong sales tax rate?

Ask the store to correct it. Bring your receipt and the official rate from your state Department of Revenue lookup tool. If the store refuses, you can contact your state's Department of Revenue to report it, though they typically investigate only if multiple people report the same store.

Can I get a refund of sales tax I already paid?

Not usually, unless you return the item. If you return something, the store refunds the tax along with the purchase price. If you paid tax on something you should not have been taxed on (because it is exempt), contact the store first. If they will not refund it, contact your state Department of Revenue.