Introduction:

If you’ve ever purchased a product or service, chances are you have encountered sales tax. Sales tax varies from one area to another and is calculated based on the cost of the item being purchased. In this article, we will walk you through the steps to add sales tax on a calculator, ensuring you understand the total cost of your purchase.

Step 1: Determine the sales tax rate in your area

The first step is to find out what your local sales tax rate is. This information is typically available online, either on your state’s or city’s official government website or by running a quick search on the Internet.

Step 2: Calculate the cost before tax

Whether you are making a single purchase or totaling multiple items together, calculate the pre-tax subtotal by adding up all item costs.

Step 3: Convert the sales tax percentage into decimal form

To calculate sales tax in decimal form, divide the sales tax rate by 100%. For example, if your sales tax rate is 7%, you would divide this by 100% to get 0.07.

Step 4: Multiply the cost before tax by the sales tax rate in decimal form

Now that you have both your pre-tax subtotal and the sales tax rate in decimal form, multiply these two numbers together. The result will be the amount of sales tax for your purchase.

Example:

Pre-tax Subtotal: $100

Tax Rate (in decimal form): 0.07

Sales Tax: $100 * 0.07 = $7

Step 5: Add the sales tax amount to your cost before tax

Take the calculated sales tax amount and add it to your pre-tax subtotal. This will give you the total cost of your purchase, including sales tax.

Example:

Pre-tax Subtotal: $100

Sales Tax Amount: $7

Total Cost: $100 + $7 = $107

Conclusion:

Adding sales tax to your purchase using a calculator is simple once you have the necessary information. By following these steps, you can accurately determine the total cost of any product or service with ease. Remember to check for updates on sales tax rates periodically, as they may change over time.