Idaho Reverse Sales Tax Calculator
Idaho has a 6% state sales tax with virtually no local additions — local governments are prohibited from imposing general sales taxes in Idaho. The rate is the same in Boise, Twin Falls, Pocatello, and everywhere else in the state. This makes Idaho one of the simplest states for reverse calculations: the rate is always 6%.
One nuance: groceries are taxed at a reduced 2% rate rather than the full 6%. If you're reverse-calculating a grocery receipt in Idaho, use 2% rather than 6%. The calculator defaults to 6% for general retail purchases. Prescription drugs are fully exempt.
Current Idaho Sales Tax Rates
| Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| State rate | 6.00% |
| Local rate | None |
| Combined rate | 6.03% |
What's Taxable in Idaho
Idaho charges a reduced 2% state rate on groceries (unprepared food). This is well below the standard 6% rate. A grocery tax credit is also available on individual income tax returns to partially offset this cost. Prescription drugs are exempt. Prepared food is taxed at the full 6%.
Worked Example
Purchase in Boise totaling $94.38 at 6.00%.
$94.38 ÷ 1.0600 = $89.04 (pre-tax price)
$94.38 − $89.04 = $5.34 (tax amount)
That's $5.34 in sales tax on a $89.04 purchase before tax. The main calculator handles this automatically — enter the total and rate and the breakdown appears instantly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Boise's combined rate is 6% — the Idaho state rate with effectively no local addition. Idaho prohibits local governments from imposing general sales taxes, so the rate is uniform across the state. Every city, from Boise to Twin Falls to Pocatello, charges the same 6%.
Idaho taxes unprepared groceries at a reduced 2% rate rather than the full 6%. Idaho also offers a grocery tax credit on state income tax returns to help lower-income residents offset this cost. Prescription drugs are fully exempt. Restaurant meals and prepared foods are taxed at the full 6%.
Divide the total amount paid by (1 + the tax rate as a decimal). For Idaho's 6.03% rate: divide by 1.0603. The result is the pre-tax price. Subtract that from the total to get the tax amount. The calculator on this page does this automatically.
Idaho does not have a sales tax holiday.