US sales tax for visitors explained
In the United States the price on the tag leaves out sales tax. It is added at the register, so the amount you pay is higher than the number you see on the shelf.
State plus local tax
Most states charge a state sales tax. In many states, cities, counties or special districts add their own tax on top. The total therefore depends on the place where you buy, not only on the state.
Check the tax in every state
Rates and rules differ a lot: five states have no state sales tax, some tax groceries and some do not, and a few exempt clothing. The pages for every state show the rate, the local tax and the rules.
Tips are not part of the tax
A tip in a restaurant is separate from sales tax. Many people calculate it from the amount before tax. Check the receipt: some places add a service charge on their own.
Can you get the tax back?
Unlike in much of Europe, there is no general tax refund for tourists in the US. The guide on tourist refunds explains what exists and what helps instead.
How to find the final price
Take the tag price, subtract the sale, then add the sales tax of the place. Summalo does this for you from a photo of the tag, offline, with the rules of the state.
Questions and answers
Is the tax included in the price on the tag?
No. The tag shows the price before sales tax; the tax is added at checkout.
Is the tax the same everywhere in a state?
Not always. Many states allow cities and counties to add their own tax, so the rate can change from one town to the next.
Do online purchases have sales tax too?
Often yes, because most states require online sellers to collect it. The rate follows the delivery address.
More guides
- Tax refund for tourists in the USA: is there one?
- Sales tax on clothing by state: which states exempt it?
- States without sales tax: where shopping can be cheaper
- Tax-free weekends and sales tax holidays 2026 and 2027
- How to calculate the final price: sale, coupon and sales tax
- Where Summalo's tax data comes from
These pages summarise the rules Summalo uses. They are estimates, not tax advice. At the register, the store's receipt is what counts. Summalo applies these rules to the tag you scan, offline.