SwiftInvoiceInvoice Generator with Sales Tax
To add sales tax to an invoice correctly, show it as a separate line calculated on the taxable amount — that's exactly what this generator does. Enter your combined state, county and city rate once, and every total updates instantly.
The tool below is preset with the tax name "Sales Tax". Set your rate, fill in the invoice, and download the PDF. Nothing is uploaded and no account is needed.
| Description | Qty | Price | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consulting services | 1 | $500.00 | $500.00 |
Live preview — the PDF prints exactly this sheet, nothing else.
How US sales tax works on an invoice
Sales tax in the US is not one national rate. It is a stack: a state base rate (0% to about 7.25%) plus county, city and special-district taxes, so combined rates commonly land between about 5% and 10% depending on where the sale is taxed. That is why this generator lets you type any rate instead of guessing one for you.
- Use the combined rate for the place the sale is sourced to. Many states tax based on the buyer's location (destination sourcing); some use the seller's (origin sourcing). When in doubt, the rate at the client's address is the common default for services invoiced across state lines — but check your state's rule.
- Keep tax as its own line. Clients, and your own records at filing time, need the taxable subtotal and the tax amount stated separately. The preview above does this automatically.
- Not everything is taxable. Many states tax goods but not most services; some tax both. Whether your line items are taxable is a state question, not a software question.
- Discounts come before tax. This generator applies your discount first, then calculates sales tax on the reduced amount, which matches how most states treat coupons and negotiated discounts.
SwiftInvoice is a calculator, not a tax advisor. If you sell into several states, a short conversation with an accountant about nexus and sourcing will save you real money later.
Sales tax invoice FAQ
What sales tax rate should I enter?
Enter the combined rate — state plus county, city and any district taxes — for the location the sale is sourced to. Combined US rates typically fall between about 5% and 10%. Your state tax authority publishes exact rate lookup tools by address.
Do I charge sales tax on services?
It depends on the state. Most states do not tax most services, but a growing list (for example Hawaii, New Mexico and South Dakota) taxes many of them, and some states tax specific categories like repairs or SaaS. Check your state's rules for your exact service.
Does the tax rate save between invoices?
Yes. Your whole draft — including the tax name and rate — auto-saves in your browser on this device, so your usual rate is already filled in next time. Nothing is stored on a server.
Selling outside the US?
Use the same tool with a different tax name and rate, or jump to the dedicated VAT invoice generator (UK, 20%) or GST invoice generator (Australia, 10%).