Recommended Free Tools
It depends on which rate you mean. California has the highest statewide sales-tax rate in Tax Foundation’s table dated January 1, 2026, at 7.25%. For average combined state and local rates, Louisiana ranks first in Tax Foundation’s July 2026 midyear update, at 10.13%. Neither figure necessarily tells you the rate for a specific purchase location.
Which state has the highest sales tax?
California is the answer if you compare statewide rates alone: its rate is 7.25% in Tax Foundation’s January 1, 2026 state table. Louisiana leads when the comparison uses average combined state and local rates: Tax Foundation’s July 6, 2026 midyear update puts its average at 10.13%.
These are different measures, not conflicting rankings. A statewide rate excludes local additions; a combined average incorporates them. The July figures are a midyear update, while the statewide comparison cited here is dated January 1, 2026.
States with the highest average combined rates
Tax Foundation’s July 2026 midyear ranking lists these five states at the top:
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
#1 Best Overall
- Profit margin calculation
- Quick and easy tax calculation
- Square root, sign change, and memory keys
- Attractive metallic design
- 12 digits
| Rank | State | Average combined state and local rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Louisiana | 10.13% |
| 2 | Tennessee | 9.61% |
| 3 | Washington | 9.57% |
| 4 | Arkansas | 9.48% |
| 5 | Alabama | 9.46% |
The population-weighted national average combined rate in the same update is 7.53%. Tax Foundation calculates state averages by weighting local rates by population, so the ranking reflects an average rather than a uniform rate in every place within a state.
Why your actual rate may differ from the state average
Local sales taxes can vary by city, county, and municipality. Tax Foundation’s January 2026 table, for example, lists maximum local rates of 11.00% in Alabama, 5.25% in California, and 7.00% in Louisiana. Those maxima illustrate within-state variation; they are not the rate every resident pays.
Rank #2
- LARGE EIGHT-DIGIT DISPLAY – Clear and easy-to-read 8-digit display, perfect for everyday calculations and ensuring accurate results in home or office settings.
- TAX & CURRENCY EXCHANGE FUNCTIONS – Effortlessly handle tax calculations and convert home currency to other currencies for easy financial management.
- GENERAL PURPOSE CALCULATOR – Ideal for a wide range of applications, from basic math to business and personal use, with memory keys for quick storage and recall.
- USER-FRIENDLY KEYBOARD – Easy-to-use layout, featuring square root, percent calculation, and simple functions that make it perfect for everyday tasks.
- COMPACT & PORTABLE DESIGN – Space-saving design that fits easily on any desk or in a briefcase, making it ideal for both home and office use.
For a particular purchase, check the relevant state or local tax authority’s rate information for the location. The ranking alone cannot establish the exact tax due: the applicable jurisdiction and the item’s tax treatment both matter. Kiplinger makes the same distinction in its 2026 state ranking, which is based on average combined rates and cautions that it does not identify an individual shopper’s exact rate or the treatment of every item.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Does a high sales-tax rate mean the state has high taxes overall?
No. A sales-tax ranking measures one part of a state’s tax system, not a resident’s total tax burden. Tax Foundation notes that Tennessee combines high sales taxes with no individual income tax, while Oregon has no sales tax alongside high income taxes. Income, property, and other taxes also affect the overall picture.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteRank #3
- Check your calculations thanks to the calculator's inbuilt serial impact roller printer that enables you to monitor your inputs and retains ongoing records. This two-color printer with a four-key memory prints red and black ink at up to 2.3 lines per second onto the included roll of paper.
- Printing calculator offers 12-digit LCD display for convenient viewing. 4-key memory keeps often-used figures accessible for faster calculations. Clock and calendar functions help maintain schedules.
- Easy-to-use solution for all of your basic math needs. Streamline financial calculations with currency conversion, tax calculation, and item counter functions. 1-year manufacturer limited warranty.
- Dimensions: 2.2"H x 6.4"W x 9.1"D. Package content: AC adapter, paper roll, user manual.
- Powered by any standard AC outlet, eliminating the need for expensive batteries. Decimal switch, rounding switch, percent, sign change, backspace, double zero, and grand total functions help you solve a variety of mathematical problems.
Sales taxes remain important to public revenue: Tax Foundation reports they account for 32% of state tax collections, 13% of local tax collections, and 24% of combined collections in its 2026 publication. Those collection shares describe revenue sources, not the total tax bill of an individual household.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Advanced Tax Calculation Features: Simplify your financial calculations with dedicated TAX+ and TAX- keys, which not only allow seamless computation of complex tax rates but also support customizable tax rate settings for accurate and tailored calculations to meet your specific needs. This essential feature is perfect for accountants, business owners, and anyone engaged in detailed tax-related work, ensuring precision with every entry.
- Large Display and Big Button Design: Featuring an oversized display screen and large buttons, this calculator is exceptionally easy to use and read. It's perfect for accountants, sales professionals, and business personnel in offices, stores, or markets, effectively reducing input errors and enhancing readability.
- Comprehensive Functionality with Visualized Operations: Equipped with GT, MRC, M+, M-, square root, and percentage functions, along with real-time operation symbols (plus, minus, multiply, divide) displayed on screen, this calculator aids in easily checking and correcting entries during continuous operations, thus improving efficiency.
- Efficient Dual Power System: Featuring solar and battery power options, this calculator ensures uninterrupted operation. Adapted to various lighting conditions, it not only efficiently reduces power consumption but also features an auto-off function after 8 minutes of inactivity, prolonging battery life.
- Durable Construction and Portability: Made of ABS high-strength engineering plastic, this 12-digit calculator is lightweight yet durable, capable of withstanding multiple impacts from desktop height. The large, clear LCD display offers crisp, easy-to-read numbers, minimizing eye strain and ensuring professional-grade performance whether at home, in the office, or while traveling.
Rank #4
- Profitability calculations; cash flow function Calculates NPV and IRR for uneven cash flows
- Time-value-of-money and Amortization keys solve problems including: pension calculations, loans, mortgages, etc.
- Ideal calculator for students, managers and statisticians
- Built-in functionality : List-based one- and two-variable statistics with four regression options: linear, logarithmic, exponential and power
- The BA II Plus calculator is approved for use on the following professional exams: Chartered Financial Analyst exam. GARP Financial Risk Manager (FRM) exam. Certified Management Accountants exam
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
