Common rates
- Pre-tax price
- 25.00
- Tax
- 2.22
- Total
- 27.22
Sales tax on restaurant bills
Combined state and local sales tax rates in the US typically fall somewhere between 4% and 10%, though a handful of states charge no sales tax at all. Since the rate is set locally, the same national chain can show a different final bill from one city to the next even when the menu price is identical.
Working out your real cost before you order? Check the menu prices we've verified for the chain you're eating at, add your local tax rate here, then use the tip calculator for the full picture.
FAQ
- Why don't US restaurant menu prices include tax?
- Unlike many countries where menu prices are tax-inclusive, most US states require sales tax to be calculated and added at checkout rather than baked into the listed price. That's why the total on your receipt is usually higher than what the menu showed.
- Does sales tax apply to tips?
- No. Sales tax is calculated on the price of the food and drink itself, not on the tip you choose to leave. If you're working out a full bill, calculate tax on the pre-tip subtotal, then add the tip separately with our tip calculator.
- Why does the tax rate vary so much between places?
- In the US, sales tax is set at the state level and often topped up by county or city taxes, which is why a combined rate can range from 0% in a handful of states to well over 9% in some cities. Always check the rate for the specific location you're dining in if you need an exact figure.