Introduction
New Jersey charges a state sales tax of 6.625% on most things you buy. This NJ sales tax calculator works out the tax on your purchase. Type in a price, and it shows the tax and the total right away.
You can use it two ways. Pick "Add tax to amount" to see what a price becomes after tax. Pick "Extract tax from amount" when you have a receipt total and want to know how much of it was tax. That is the same idea behind our Reverse Tax Calculator.
New Jersey does not tax everything. You can check off parts of your purchase that are tax free, such as:
- Groceries and unprepared food
- Prescription and over-the-counter medicine
- Clothing and shoes
- Approved medical equipment and devices
Some places in New Jersey have special rates. Shops in an Urban Enterprise Zone and in Salem County can charge half the state rate, or 3.313%, on some in-store sales. Atlantic City adds a luxury tax on hotel rooms, tickets, and drinks. Use the address lookup tool to find the rate for your city.
Each answer comes with a step-by-step breakdown and a chart, so you can see exactly how the tax was figured out.
How to Use Our NJ Sales Tax Calculator
Enter your purchase amount, the New Jersey sales tax rate, and any exempt items, and the calculator shows your tax, your total, and a step-by-step breakdown. You can also look up your local NJ sales tax rate by address.
Calculation Mode: Pick "Add tax to amount" if your price does not include tax yet. Pick "Extract tax from amount" if your total already has tax in it.
Purchase Amount ($): Type the price of your purchase. In extract mode, type the full amount you paid, tax included.
Sales Tax Rate (%): This starts at the state rate of 6.625%. Change it if you need a different NJ rate, like a reduced 3.313% rate.
Groceries / Unprepared Food: Check this box if part of your purchase is food you cook or eat at home, then type that dollar amount.
Prescription Drugs & OTC Medicine: Check this box for medicine, then type how much of your purchase was medicine.
Clothing & Footwear: Check this box for clothes and shoes, then type that dollar amount. Most clothing is tax free in New Jersey.
Medical Equipment & Devices: Check this box for items like wheelchairs or braces, then type that dollar amount.
Calculate Sales Tax: Click this to see your tax, total, math steps, and a chart. Click "Clear / Reset" to start over.
Use My Current Location: Click this to fill in your address from your device and find your local rate fast.
Street Address: Type your street number and street name, like 1 Broadway.
City: Type your New Jersey city or town. This helps find special rates, like Urban Enterprise Zones or Salem County.
State: This is locked to NJ, since this tool only covers New Jersey sales tax.
ZIP Code: Type your 5-digit ZIP code. This is optional but makes the match more exact.
Look Up My Rate: Click this to see your NJ sales tax rate and a list of every rate that applies to your area.
Item Price ($): Type a price to test with your found rate, then pick add or extract mode.
Rate to Apply: Choose which rate to use, such as the standard 6.625% rate or a reduced local rate, then click "Calculate."
New Jersey Sales Tax: What You Need to Know
New Jersey charges a state sales tax of 6.625% on most goods and some services. This rate has been the same since 2018. Unlike most states, New Jersey does not let cities or counties add their own sales tax on top. So in almost every town, the price you see is taxed at the same 6.625% rate.
What Is Not Taxed in NJ
New Jersey leaves many everyday items tax free. Common exempt items include:
- Clothing and shoes for everyday use, with no dollar limit
- Groceries and other unprepared food you cook or eat at home
- Prescription drugs and most over-the-counter medicine
- Medical equipment like wheelchairs, crutches, and braces
- Newspapers, textbooks, and most professional services
What Is Taxed
You still pay the 6.625% rate on things like restaurant meals and prepared food, candy and soda, furniture, electronics, cars, cleaning and landscaping work, digital downloads, and fur or sports clothing such as ski boots and cleats.
Special NJ Sales Tax Rates
A few places in New Jersey use lower or higher rates:
- Urban Enterprise Zones (UEZ): Certified stores in about 30 towns, such as Newark, Trenton, Camden, and Jersey City, may charge half the state rate, 3.3125%, on items you buy in person. Cars, alcohol, cigarettes, and restaurant meals do not qualify.
- Salem County: Many in-person retail sales get the same half rate of 3.3125%.
- Atlantic City: A local luxury tax raises the cost of some items. Drinks sold by the glass are taxed at 9.625%, and hotel rooms, shows, and cover charges reach 12.625%.
Use Tax on Out-of-State Buys
If you buy something from another state or online and pay no sales tax, New Jersey still wants its share. You owe use tax at 6.625% when you bring the item home. If you paid a smaller tax elsewhere, you only pay the difference. Importing goods from abroad can also trigger a customs duty on top of the tax.
How the Math Works
To add tax, multiply the price by 0.06625 and add it to the price. A $100 item costs $106.63. To find the tax inside a total, divide the total by 1.06625. A $106.63 total means the item was $100 and the tax was $6.63. Always check which parts of your cart are exempt first, because only the taxable part gets the rate.