What is the virginia sales tax calculator?
In short
Virginia charges a 5.3% state sales tax; with local taxes the statewide average reaches 5.77%. On $100 that is $5.30 in tax for an $105.30 total. Virginia layers a mandatory 1% statewide local tax (5.3% floor everywhere) plus regional add-ons up to 0.7–1% on top of the state rate, so unlike most states there is no truly tax-free locality — every address pays at least the combined floor.
Enter a price and this Virginia tool returns the sales tax and total at the 5.3% state base rate, with a field to swap in your local combined rate. Virginia imposes a mandatory 1% statewide local sales tax on top of the 4.3% state rate, so the minimum combined rate is 5.3% everywhere — there is no truly tax-free locality.
How to use this calculator
- 1Start with the sticker price — the amount before any tax is added.
- 2Virginia is pre-selected at its 5.3% state base rate.
- 3Adjust the rate only if a special local district applies — most of Virginia uses the 5.3% rate.
- 4Read off the tax owed and the final total — or flip to reverse mode to recover the pre-tax price from a tax-inclusive figure.
The formula
- pre-tax price
- — Listed price before tax
- rate
- — Virginia base 5.3%; combined avg 5.77%
- sales tax
- — Tax added to the price
- total
- — Pre-tax price plus sales tax
Worked example
The scenario
A $500 purchase in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where the combined rate is 6%.
The result
At the 5.3% state base rate the state tax is $26.50 ($526.50 total); at Virginia Beach's 6% combined rate you'd pay more once local tax is added.
Common use cases
- Estimating the out-the-door cost of a Virginia purchase before you buy
- Comparing tax on a big-ticket item between Virginia Beach (6%) and a lower-rate locality
- Seeing why your receipt differs from the 5.3% headline — northern Virginia and Hampton Roads (including Virginia Beach) add a 0.7% regional transportation tax, raising the combined rate to 6.0%.
- groceries and essential personal hygiene items such as diapers and feminine-hygiene products are taxed at a reduced 1% rate statewide
Limitations & assumptions
- This tool uses the Virginia state base rate (5.3%); combined local rates vary — a mandatory 1% statewide local tax (5.3% floor everywhere) plus regional add-ons up to 0.7–1%.
- Food for home consumption and essential hygiene products are taxed at a reduced 1% statewide rate — Virginia eliminated the 1.5% state grocery portion on Jan 1, 2023.
- Confirm the current rate with the Virginia Department of Taxation before filing — local rates change often.
- Use it to estimate costs — it isn't a substitute for professional tax advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales-tax rate in Virginia?
What is the combined sales-tax rate in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
Are groceries taxed in Virginia?
How much is sales tax on a $100 purchase in Virginia?
What's distinctive about Virginia sales tax?
Disclaimer: KalkWise calculators are provided for general informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Results are estimates based on the figures you enter and the assumptions described above. Actual outcomes will vary. Consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.